Posted online: Aug 31st, 2010

Fr. James Chesney, the priest alleged to have been the main suspect in the Claudy bombings which killed nine people in 1972, was “committed” to his work while ministering in Inishowen, parishioners have said.

A report published last week by Al Hutchinson, the Police Ombudsman in the North, revealed Fr. Chesney was transferred to  Donegal after RUC investigations fingered him as a main suspect in the triple bombing which claimed the lives of four men and two women, aged from 38 to 65, and three children, the youngest of which was eight years old. Over 30 people were injured in the August 9 attack.

Mr. Hutchinson’s findings, which took eight years to compile, revealed Fr. Chesney was never questioned by police about the killings after the then Cardinal, William Conway, Northern Ireland Secetary of State William Whitelaw and senior RUC officers came to an agreement to have him transferred to Donegal in 1973. Fr. Chesney died in 1980 at the age of 46 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Following the publication of the report, two former RUC detectives told of how they sought to pursue inquiries that Fr. Chesney was one of the bombers but were instructed by senior officers not to proceed. One of them claimed he was within 15 minutes of searching the cleric’s home in Co. Derry but was told by superiors that “things were under control and not to go” to the priest’s house.

The findings of the report have led to calls for an apology from the Catholic Church and outraged relatives demanding a fresh investigation.

However, retired Bishop of Derry, Most Rev. Dr. Edward Daly, who questioned Fr. Chesney about his links with republicanism, said he had “serious doubts” about the allegations.

Bishop Daly said while Fr. Chesney “made no bones” about his sympathies with republicans, he “denied absolutely” any activity in the movement.

Welcoming the fact Mr. Hutchinson’s report found “no evidence of any criminal intent” on the part of any Church official, Bishop Daly said to his knowledge there was no evidence against Fr. Chesney, just intelligence.

Following his move from Co. Derry, Fr. Chesney served in the Malin Head. Six years later he moved to Sligo before returning to Inishowen to serve chaplin in the Nazareth House in Fahan.

Those who knew him said they were surprised at the allegations. In Malin Head, John McLaughlin said he did not believe Fr. Chesney was “capable of this.”

He added: He was a lovely man and never once discussed politics during his sermons.”

In the parish of Fahan, a plaque was erected in 1984 in Aileach Youth and Community Centre in recognition the role Fr. Chesney in the setting up of the local Youth and Social Club.

Willie McLaughlin said he, too, was surprised by the allegations.

He said: “He was very committed, especially to the youth, and helped us get the Youth Club up and running. He was our priest.”