Marayong paedophile priest James Cunneen dead at 60
A western Sydney priest found guilty of abusing young boys in the 1980s has died awaiting his sentence.
Blacktown
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blacktown. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Retiring top cop Deb Wallace continues Anita Cobby legacy
- Marayong child porn accused ‘filmed sexual videos with four-year-old niece’
Disgraced western Sydney paedophile priest James Joseph Cunneen has died at the age of 60.
The former Catholic priest died of a heart attack at Blacktown Hospital on December 28, less than two months out from his sentencing on a string of child sex offences.
Cunneen was a priest at two parishes in the Diocese of Parramatta, including St Andrew the Apostle Church in Marayong and Holy Name of Mary in Rydalmere in the late 1980s.
Joining the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 1979, Cunneen worked in parishes across Sydney before leaving the priesthood and returning to his home country New Zealand in the 1990s.
It is understood he worked for the New Zealand Ministry of Education for several years.
In 2017, police began investigating Cunneen after his abuse was exposed during the royal commission into child sexual abuse.
He was later extradited back to Australia and charged with sex abuse offences against eight young boys.
In October last year at Parramatta District Court, he was convicted of 10 counts of sexual and indecent assault against six boys.
He was due to be sentenced at the Downing Centre District Court on February 14, however, this will no longer proceed.
Cunneen was in custody at the time of his death while awaiting sentencing.
His victims were due to deliver victim impact statements at next month’s scheduled hearing.
One victim, who did not wish to be named, told NewsLocal the disgraced priest had “died in disgrace”.
An obituary notice in the New Zealand Herald said Cunneen had “passed away suddenly” in intensive care at Blacktown Hospital.