Brendan Smyth
Brendan Smyth O.Praem (8 June 1927 – 22 August 1997) was a Catholic priest and convicted sex offender from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who became notorious as a child molester, using his position in the Catholic Church to obtain access to his victims. During a period of over 40 years, Smyth sexually abused and indecently assaulted at least 143 children in parishes in Belfast, Dublin and the United States. His actions were frequently hidden from police and the public by Roman Catholic officials. Controversy surrounding his case contributed to the downfall of the government of Republic of Ireland in December 1994.
Brendan Smyth O.Praem | |
|---|---|
Fr. Brendan Smyth, c. 1965 | |
| Born | John Gerard Smyth 8 June 1927 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 22 August 1997 (aged 70) Curragh Prison, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Resting place | Kilnacrott Abbey |
| Occupation | Priest |
| Known for | Abuse of children |
| Allegiance | Catholic Church |
| Conviction(s) | 1994 in Belfast, 43 counts, + 26 later found; 1997 admitted to 74 counts of child sexual abuse |
| Criminal charge | 1991 arrested for child sexual abuse, spend three years in the Republic of Ireland before being extradited to Northern Ireland |
| Penalty | 1994, 4 years, +3 (concurrent); 12 years (died one month into sentence) |
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