Man `happy to be with sect'

Mr Odhran Fortune, the Co Wexford man whose family claims he was brainwashed by the Church of Scientology, has said that he is…

Mr Odhran Fortune, the Co Wexford man whose family claims he was brainwashed by the Church of Scientology, has said that he is happy to be back with the sect and wishes to remain with them.

Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday after members of his family went on RTE radio to express fears about his well being, Mr Fortune described Scientology as "an effective science of the mind" and said he was "very happy with it".

Mr Fortune (24), who was brought up as a Catholic, joined the Church of Scientology in 1993.

In a statement issued through the Scientology Office of Special Affairs in East Grinstead, London, yesterday, the group said Mr Fortune was held against his will during a visit to Ireland last December and was able to freely return to the group only three days ago.

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Mr Fortune said he had wished to return to the church earlier but, because of a rule which restricted active participation in activities where a member's family was opposed to membership, he had waited until "this was resolved".

Attempts were made by his family and others to persuade him to leave the Scientologists but those involved deny this amounted to "deprogramming".