British police confirm ex-priest died
British police who flew to Australia to investigate the whereabouts of an Irish former priest wanted in connection with child abuse allegations confirmed today they believe he is dead.
The family of Christopher Oliver Clonan maintain he died from a brain haemorrhage at his home in Bendigo, Victoria.
Clonan left his post of 20 years at the Christ The King Roman Catholic Church, in Coundon, in July 1992, and fled to Australia to avoid arrest amid allegations of abuse of youngsters in his care.
West Midlands Police revealed last July that eight complainants – aged between eight and 17 at the time of the alleged offences – had made allegations against the clergyman.
West Midlands Police said two officers were sent to Australia to investigate inconsistencies following Clonan’s reported death.
His brother Andrew released a copy of the cleric’s death certificate to the media last August which stated that Fr Clonan, born in Clonard, Co Meath, had died in October 1998, aged 56, after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
In a statement released to the press, Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Mirfield, from West Midlands Police, said: “On the 28 April 2004 detectives from the West Midlands Police travelled to Australia to liaise with the Australian Federal Police and work alongside them to examine inconsistencies established following the death.
“A number of persons were interviewed and a working protocol established.
“West Midlands Police are now satisfied that Christopher Oliver Clonan is dead and died on 26 October 1998.
“To ensure absolute closure it has been decided to complete DNA tests using samples retained by Bendigo pathology department following post-mortem.
“The co-operation of his close family has been invaluable and they are now willing to provide samples for a DNA comparison.”
He said the process would be carried out by the Australian coroners department and could take some time.
He concluded: “Recent reports of sightings of Clonan, whilst possibly given with good intent, are wrong and only seek to cause more distress for the victims and their families.”
