‘Totally untrue’: Lawyers for Blackfriars Priory School slam sexual abuse ‘cover-up’ claims

A top Adelaide private school has “expressly denied” allegations it “covered-up” claims of sexual abuse from multiple students, a court has heard.

Blackfriars Priory School. (AAP Image/MATT LOXTON)

A top Adelaide private school has refuted claims it “covered-up” allegations of sexual abuse against multiple prior students as “totally untrue”, a court has heard.

The allegations of a “cover-up” were made in documents filed with the District Court as part of a legal claim involving former students at Blackfriars Priory School and previously reported in The Advertiser.

The documents also included allegations the school had been aware of “100 cases” of sexual abuse over more than 20 years.

On Monday, Mark Hoffman KC, for the school, told the court the school denied it had covered up any allegations.

Blackfriars Priory School in Prospect. Picture: AAP Image/Matt Loxton

“Can I just make it absolutely crystal clear that that is expressly denied, no such thing has occurred. I have actually seen documents myself which are to the utter opposite effect and that will come out in due course,” he said.

“That allegation has been made, it’s been publicised and it’s totally untrue.”

He said media reports about the action had been “quite egregious” and the publication of the affidavits was a possible breach of the Harman undertaking – a longstanding rule where court documents are only to be used for the purpose they were disclosed and not a collateral or ulterior purpose.

He said he would be writing to lawyers for three former students who have lodged legal claims with the court to seek an explanation for the alleged misuse of the documents.

However, lawyers for the former students said the material was provided to the media by their clients and not subject to the Harman undertaking.

Former Blackfriars Primary School principal Catholic priest Father Martin Wallace in October 2000. Picture: File

Judge Karen Thomas said she was concerned “very sensitive confidential matters” had made their way into the media.

“That highlights the importance of sensitivity and confidentiality of these matters and the inappropriateness of there being slabs of affidavit repeated in the media,” she said.

“It’s not going to actually assist us to get to the bottom of any of these matters if there is untoward publicity which just creates a needless distraction.

“It’s important the way in which this is handled actually leads to the administration of justice.”

The court heard three separate former students had raised allegations about sexual abuse by staff at the school, including former principal Father Martin Wallace, over separate time periods, and that other former students may also file legal action with the court.

It has previously heard there could be as many as 10 claimants in total.

The court heard each of the allegations would be heard and determined separately and that further disclosure was sought.

The matters return to court in October.

Originally published as ‘Totally untrue’: Lawyers for Blackfriars Priory School slam sexual abuse ‘cover-up’ claims