by The Canadian Press and The Star Staff
Link was made to Lahey at Mount Cashel inquiry
ST. JOHN'S, NFLD.–Police in Newfoundland say they're reviewing an allegation that Raymond Lahey – a Roman Catholic bishop facing child-pornography charges in Ontario – possessed child pornography more than 20 years ago.
CBC News reported Thursday that a former resident of the infamous Mount Cashel orphanage said he told police 20 years ago he had seen child pornography in Lahey's home in the St. John's suburb of Mount Pearl.
Shane Earle's allegations of sexual abuse at the orphanage prompted a public inquiry. Testifying at that inquiry in October 1989, Earle said he saw something in Lahey's home as a teenager in 1985 that disturbed him and caused his hospitalization for depression.
"I remember I was in the house by myself, I got very upset," Earle testified, but at that point inquiry lawyer Clayton Powell warned him not to mention what he had seen.
Powell, who is now a lawyer in London, Ont., said Friday he had "no recollection" of cutting Earle off during his 1989 testimony.
CBC News quoted from an email Earle had sent to his brother Billy: "During the investigation in 1989 I did reveal to police that during a visit to Father Raymond Lahey's house in Mount Pearl, I found catalogues of child pornography addressed to Ray Lahey. The pictures were of teen boys sexually aroused."
Const. Paul Davis of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said Friday investigators became aware of Earle's allegation on Thursday "and we immediately began a review to determine if the information is accurate."
Davis said police are reviewing records of interviews with Mount Cashel "victims and offenders," including Billy and Shane Earle.
Neither Shane nor Billy Earle could be reached on Friday.
Lahey, 69, served as bishop for the archdiocese of Antigonish, N.S., for six years before resigning last weekend. Before that, he was a bishop in Newfoundland.
His laptop and other media devices were seized by border guards when he was returning to Canada at the Ottawa airport on Sept. 15.
*The Star.com
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