This morning two weeks ago the list of charges against Father Sean Fortune was recited in Wexford Circuit Court. The 29 charges related to eight boys, all now young men.
By its very nature, the sexual abuse was secret, and that secret was kept hidden for many years after. Some of the boys had grown up together in the same rural area. But it was not until that day, as they waited in the courtroom, that they looked at each other publicly for the first time, and shared the same awful bond.
Earlier, they had watched Father Fortune (45) come into the courthouse on crutches, appearing to struggle as he climbed the stairs. More than 6 ft tall and overweight, he wore clerical garb, a pioneer pin in his lapel and a pair of sunglasses, which he did not remove.
Originally he had been sent forward from the District Court on 66 charges of sexual abuse. He was arraigned on 29 charges: one of buggery, 12 of gross indecency and 16 of indecent assault. The charges related to dates unknown from June 1981 to December 1987. As each of the charges was read out, he pleaded not guilty.
After the 16th charge of gross indecency was made, he asked Judge Joseph Mathews if he could sit. He was feeling weak. He sat in a bench behind his solicitors, near the front of the courtroom. A short time later he lay his head on his arm and seemed to fall asleep. A garda approached and asked him if he was alright.
Later, in the jury's absence, evidence was heard from a psychiatrist concerning Father Fortune's mental condition. It stated that he was depressed but there was no evidence of psychosis. He was being prescribed anti-depressants and strong painkillers, and earlier the court heard he was on morphine.
During the hearing a note was passed from the psychiatrist to Judge Mathews, concerning something Father Fortune had said privately to the psychiatrist. Lawyers in the case also saw it but it was not disclosed to the court.
The next day Judge Mathews discharged the jury and said it had become apparent that there was a question concerning the priest's competence. "He felt that I, as a judge, was charging him with murder."
Giving evidence the previous day, Father Fortune had said he thought that murder charges had been reduced to manslaughter. He also spoke about the pain he was in and that he was "very down". He told of being attacked in New Ross, where he lived.
The jury was discharged on the second day as Judge Mathews had decided to call another jury to hear evidence on Father Fortune's fitness to plead. If found fit, another jury would have been sworn in to hear the case. Two solicitors from Kirwan & Kirwan, a Co Wexford firm, attended the court on behalf of the Diocese of Ferns.
The allegations against Father Fortune were made four years ago. The case had taken 2 1/2 years since he was returned for trial. During that time, the priest took a judicial review in the High Court. That judgment was appealed by him and the State to the Supreme Court. The priest withdrew his appeal before the case was heard.
During the court case a fortnight ago, Judge Mathews, after hearing medical evidence, remanded Father Fortune for treatment in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Co Dublin. There was a strike at the hospital and he was sent to Mountjoy Prison. He was granted bail in the High Court last Monday. Five days later he was found dead after committing suicide.