Police are urging former students of St Patrick’s College Silverstream to come forward with any information relating to alleged offending by Father Rowan Donoghue, following the lifting of all name suppression orders late last month.
Donoghue, a former Catholic priest and teacher, pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court on 13 November to a series of historical sexual offences against students at St Bede’s College in Christchurch. He is due to be sentenced later this year.
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Since his identity became public on 28 January, police have received information suggesting similar offending may have occurred during his decade at St Patrick’s College Silverstream in Upper Hutt, where he worked from 1982 to 1992. Detectives are now formally appealing for anyone with knowledge of his behaviour during that period to make contact.
Police say they recognise how difficult it can be for survivors to revisit experiences of abuse, particularly when the offending occurred many years ago. However, they emphasise that every report will be taken seriously and handled with care.
“We know it can be incredibly distressing to talk about these matters,” police said in a statement. “But we want to reassure any victims that we will listen, we will support you, and we will treat your information with the utmost sensitivity.”
A dedicated team of officers and detectives has been assigned to the Donoghue investigations, with police stressing that victims can report offending in confidence. Officers will then arrange a safe and appropriate setting to discuss the allegations in more detail.
The renewed appeal comes amid a broader national reckoning over historical abuse in schools, churches, and state institutions. Police say the lifting of suppression has already prompted former students to reassess past experiences and seek clarity about Donoghue’s conduct during his teaching career.
Anyone with information, or who wishes to report similar offending, is encouraged to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105. Reports can be made by victims, witnesses, or anyone who may have relevant knowledge from Donoghue’s time at either school.
