Brief
Victim of 1970 Marist Brothers abuse wins $2.2 million jury award
A Supreme Court jury awarded survivor Greg Barclay more than $2.2 million despite the Marist Brothers’ lawyers calling his testimony fabricated.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Greg Barclay, a 70‑year‑old survivor of clerical abuse at the former St Colman’s College in Shepparton, was awarded $2,248,974 by a six‑person Supreme Court jury on 1 October, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
What happened
The civil trial lasted 12 days last month. Barclay alleged sexual abuse by Brother John Anthony Skehan in 1970 and claimed two suicide attempts resulting from the trauma. The Marist Brothers’ legal team, representing the order’s trustees, repeatedly challenged his credibility, describing him as a “money‑grubber” and suggesting he fabricated symptoms. Barrister Jack Pappas accused Barclay of “faux emotion” and “balderdash”. On 1 October the jury rejected those submissions and ordered the Marist Brothers to pay Barclay the sum plus his legal costs.
What the reports add
The article notes that the court made no criticism of the Marist Brothers’ counsel in its judgment. It also records that the order’s professional standards director, Domenic Pagano, said the Brotherhood would appeal, maintaining that Barclay had exaggerated aspects of his claim and that he had no entitlement to economic loss compensation.
What was said
Barclay told the masthead that the verdict vindicated him but left him “emotionally drained” after three days of cross‑examination. He said, “I knew they would come in hard, but it was just brutal… To be accused of pretending to be a victim/survivor is just outrageous.”
Jack Pappas, counsel for the Marist Brothers, told the jury that Barclay’s performance was “unabashed display of faux emotion, gasping for air, huffing and puffing”.
Domenic Pagano, director of the Marist Brothers professional standards office, said the order “accepted that they were liable to pay Mr Barclay fair and reasonable compensation but believed… that he was exaggerating aspects of his claim”.
How it came about
The abuse took place at St Colman’s College in Shepparton in 1970. Barclay, who later worked as an educator and senior union official, pursued civil damages after his abuser was convicted in a criminal case. The Marist Brothers have previously faced criticism for handling abuse claims, and this verdict adds to ongoing scrutiny of the order’s response to survivor lawsuits.
Key facts
- Greg Barclay was awarded $2,248,974 by a Supreme Court jury on 1 October. (smh.com.au)
- The Marist Brothers’ legal team called Barclay a “money‑grubber” and alleged he fabricated his trauma. (smh.com.au)
- Barrister Jack Pappas described Barclay’s testimony as “faux emotion” and “balderdash”. (smh.com.au)
- The Marist Brothers said they will appeal the judgment. (smh.com.au)
- Barclay said the verdict vindicated him but left him emotionally drained. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Abuse survivor vindicated by $2. 2m jury payout after church lawyers accused him of faking trauma”
