16.5 C
Byron Shire
April 24, 2024

Lismore pedophile priest sentenced

Latest News

Sweet and sour doughnuts

Victoria Cosford ‘It’s probably a good thing I don’t have a sweet tooth,’ says Megan. I’ve called in at the pop-up...

Other News

Funds sought to complete clubhouse

Byron Bay Football Club may finally get the funds to complete its new clubhouse, with Byron councillors to consider loaning the club $200,000 at this week’s meeting.

Can Council’s overturn their decisions?

NSW Labor planning minister, Paul Scully, when asked about the Wallum estate by local MP Tamara Smith (Greens)  in...

Flood insurance inquiry’s North Coast hearings 

A public hearing into insurers’ responses to the 2022 flood was held in Lismore last Thursday, with one local insurance brokerage business owner describing the compact that exists between insurers and society as ‘broken’. 

Anti-Israel bias

Many locals have approached me to say how shocked they are at the extreme anti-Israel bias that is expressed...

Keeping watch on Tyalgum Road

Residents keen to stay up to date on the status of the temporary track at Tyalgum Road – particularly during significant rain events – are urged to sign up to a new SMS alert system launched by Tweed Shire Council.

Celebrating Tweed Museum’s 20th anniversary with all and everything

A stunning new exhibition has opened to celebrate the Tweed Regional Museum's 20th anniversary – Omnia: all and everything.

Image CS Globe

A Catholic priest formerly attached to the Lismore diocese has been jailed for four years and 10 months on charges of having sexually abused two teenage boys who stayed with him at the church house in Mallanganee in the 1980s.

The allegations against John Patrick Casey, 70, included performing oral sex on one of the boys, masturbating in the boy’s presence, and digitally penetrating the other boy’s anus.

Casey denied all the charges.

The jury found him guilty of sexual assault (category three) of a person under the age of 16 years, sexual assault (category four), indecent act with a person under 16.

He was found not guilty of homosexual intercourse with a male under 18 years.

Judge Sarah Huggett handed down her sentence in the Sydney Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday, October 31.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Yeesh did you have to give us the sickening details?!! That man should be locked up for a lot longer. What a joke! He’ll be out on parole probably in 2 to 3 years. Hope the inmates give him a taste of his own medicine and make him do to them what he did to those poor kids! Or visa versa! He deserves it!

  2. Sexuality and our sexual organs / genital area is sacred and not for anyone to trespass on and contaminate with their perverted intensions. 4 years and 10 months for destroying the innocence of 2 children and violating them in this way is insufficient.

  3. I have met the man and been an altar server for him in the church in Sawtell NSW and Coffs Harbour NSW and support him as I don’t believe these charges against him and believe that they are false allegations against him

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Foodie road-trip paradise: Harvest Food Trail

Calling all food and farm enthusiasts, the iconic Harvest Food Trail is happening soon, over four days from May 2-5. It’s your chance to...

Buzz Byron Bay, brewing unforgettable moments with a tuk-tuk twist

In the charming coastal haven of Byron Bay, where laid-back vibes meet bespoke experiences, there’s a new buzz in town – literally. Enter Buzz...

Cape Byron Distillery release world-first macadamia cask whisky

S Haslam The parents of Cape Byron Distillery CEO Eddie Brook established the original macadamia farm that you can see from the distillery at St...

Heart and Song Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra with soprano, Gaynor Morgan

Join us for an enchanting afternoon as Byron Music Society proudly presents ‘Heart and Song.’ Prepare to be immersed in a program meticulously crafted by the Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra, showcasing a world premiere composition. Well-known soprano, Gaynor Morgan, will be premiering a setting of poems by Seamus Heaney and Robert Graves, skilfully arranged for soprano, harp, cello and string orchestra by prominent Northern Rivers musician Nicholas Routley.