Priest in abuse pilgrimage pays Gregory tribute
THE AUGUSTINIAN priest who has undertaken a walk from Cobh to Dublin in atonement for clerical child sex abuse and in solidarity with its victims has spoken of his sadness at the death of TD Tony Gregory.
Fr Michael Mernagh said he worked with Tony Gregory in the 1970s before the independent politician was elected to the Dail.
"I was in the south inner city and worked closely with Tony and his north city centre community action group promoting social inclusion.
"The issues are the same. They were the forgotten people. I am walking today for issues which are the same now as those Tony and I fought for then -- health and housing and education. This is what I am marching for; the future and protection of children and the growth of children in an an environment that enables young people to grow as citizens of tomorrow. They must not have their lives crippled by those entrusted to care for them -- whether they be clergy or anyone else," he said.
Fr Mernagh, who is in his 70s, was yesterday walking to Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, in his long march after leaving Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, on Friday and walking to Co Carlow, through Bunclody and Tullow.
He is ahead of schedule in his walk of atonement after leaving St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh, Co Cork, last Monday. He hopes to arrive at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral next Tuesday.
"There's only about 30 miles after Baltinglass to Dublin so we are ahead of ourselves. When I started, I had no idea about the mileage from Cobh to Dublin. It was pure guesswork. I did 30 miles the first day mostly on my own so I could reach Youghal (Co Cork), although Donal Clifford, who used to play hurling for Cork, accompanied me out of Cork.
"He was a great hurler in the Sixties and I'm from (Glenmore) Kilkenny, so we had a great chat about the game," he said. "That was the hardest part of the journey because there was an east wind but after Dungarvan (Co Waterford), it got easier. and then people started joining me, I had company all the way and the weather was good.
"In Youghal, I had some of the victims of abuse with me and their support group so the journey has been shortened by the company of the road. Today I have a young man from Wexford and a man from Tipperary with me."
When he arrives at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin at 1.30pm on Tuesday, he will present his placard of pilgrimage and place it on the altar. "That's the end of my journey," he said.
Today, Fr Mernagh will leave Baltinglass at 10am en route to Blessington, Co Wicklow. "It's not that long a stretch and I will stop there for the night," he added.
On Monday, he will walk from Blessington into the Augustinian Noviate, Orlagh, Templeogue, and on Tuesday morning will walk into Dublin city centre via Firhouse, Terenure, Harold's Cross and Christ Church, then up O'Connell Street to the Pro-Cathedral.
- JEROME REILLY
