Vincent Mercer

Fr. Vincent Mercer, (born 1947) is a Dominican priest, a convicted paedophile and former headmaster of Newbridge College, County Kildare, Ireland.

He was convicted in March 2005 of 13 sample charges of indecently assaulting eight pupils aged 10-13 on various dates between 1970 and 1977. He received a three-year suspended sentence at Naas Circuit Criminal Court. [ [http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1350399&issue_id=12154&printer=1 Priest sentenced for 'reign of terror' over his young victims] — "Irish Independent" article, 2 March 2005]

Evidence in court described how Mercer subjected his victims to a "reign of terror"; he engendered an atmosphere of gross intimidation as he prowled the College's first-year dormitory looking for prey, first as junior dean and later as headmaster. The court heard that his "modus operandi" was to visit the dormitories of vulnerable first and second-year students late at night when the lights were off. He would sit down on his victim’s bed and fondle them under the bedclothes.

Mercer apologised for his actions and said he deeply regretted and was truly sorry for the hurt and pain he had caused his victims. He also apologised to the young men's families and admitted he had "betrayed" the faith of his own colleagues.

Six of the offences with which he was charged occurred while the victims, boarders, were alone - isolated in the doritory. Two cases occurred when two of the boys were on summer camp from their primary school at Knockadoon in County Cork. One victim stated he had been told as a boy that his father would lose his job if he told anybody about Mercer's attacks.

This was the second sentence imposed on Fr Mercer. In March 2003, he was sentenced to six months imprisonment after pleading guilty at Naas District Court to four counts of indecent assault on a 13-year-old boy at the college in 1977.

The provincial of the Dominican Order, who is President of Newbridge College, Fr Pat Lucey confirmed that Mercer is living under very strict supervision and is not permitted to practise as a priest. His movements were controlled and he had no access to children.

Mercer is based at the Provincialate Dominican headquarters in Tallaght, Dublin.

Dominican Order Protected Pedophile

The Dominican Order failed to notify the Gardaí about abuse allegations against Mercer when these came to light in 1995 and sheltered him until his 2003 jail sentence. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2005/03/01/story191643.asp Order failed to notify gardaí of abuse claim] — Breakingnews.ie article, 1 March 2005]

References

ee also

* Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal
*Roman Catholic priests accused of sex offenses
*Ferns Report, on sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns, Ireland
*Crimen sollicitationis