A well-known publisher, environmentalist and former Church of Ireland lay reader “shamefully abused the trust” of a 13-year- old boy when he indecently assaulted him 26 years ago, a judge has said.
The Irish Times reports that at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Carroll Moran imposed a suspended 12-month sentence on Hugh Weir (76), Whitegate, Co Clare, for indecently assaulting the boy at a Clare Young Environmentalists Summer Camp at Weir’s home between June 28th and September 2nd, 1985.
The author of numerous books, Weir was also a prominent member of the Church of Ireland, for a number of years being a member of the church’s general synod. He also served as a diocesan lay preacher in Limerick and Killaloe. Weir has written a weekly environmental column for the Clare Champion.
The court heard that at the camp in 1985, teenagers were sleeping in tents beside Weir’s home. Garda Niall Naughton said the boy in question was fighting with another boy and as a result was put in separate accommodation.
In a statement to gardaí, the man – now aged 39 – said Weir came into his room “and he started to fondle me”. The boy said Weir then indecently assaulted him.
Garda Naughton said that when Weir was first questioned by gardaí, he said it was a relief that the incident was going to be dealt with.
In a statement to gardaí, Weir said: “I recall leaving the room in disgust at what I had done.”
More at:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0324/1224292955265.html