Colm O’Gorman

www.colmogorman.com

Colm O’Gorman was born in Wexford in 1966. By 1986 he had moved to London and this led to him training as a physical therapist in 1994. Eventually, in 1996 he qualified as a psychotherapist.

However as a teenager, in the early 1980’s, O’Gorman was sexually abused by a Catholic Priest. In the late 1990’s he sued the Bishop of his local diocese and also the Pope to challenge the clerical sex abuse he suffered. This legal action culminated in the resignation of Dr Brendan Comiskey, Bishop of Ferns in 2002. O’Gorman was awarded €30,000 in damages.

Returning to live in Ireland in 2003, O’Gorman founded the Irish branch of One In Four. The organisation was originally set up in London and campaigns on behalf of males and females who have been sexually abused. In the same year he was the recipient of The James Larkin justice award by the Irish Labour party.

His father, Sean, stood for election at two elections in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s for Fianna Fail but was unsuccessful on both occasions. In 2007 Colm would stand for the Progressive Democrats in the Wexford constituency. Although polling well, he similarly failed to get elected. He was, however, made a Senator in Seanad Eireann for the PD’s.

CO’G often features in the media especially when clerical sex abuse is the topic for discussion such as when the recent Ryan Report implicated the Christian Brothers for the cruelty that they inflicted on those in their care.

Aside from giving support to victims of sexual abuse, he also works in the field of human rights. In February 2008 O’Gorman was appointed as the head of Amnesty International Ireland. He is also a prominent campaigner for gay rights. In 2009 he had a book published; Beyond Belief (Hodder & Stoughton). It has been received well by critics:

‘He has triumphed over sexual abuse’ – Mary Robinson (Former President of Ireland)

‘It is a crucial document in the charting of a dark period in our history. It is also a story of bravery and survival, of strength and resilience, and will serve as an inspiration to many readers’ – Colm Toibin (Successful Irish author)

Mr O’Gorman lives with his family in County Wexford and it is safe to say that he will continue to speak out on issues concerning human rights that affect those both inside and outside of Ireland well into the future. Whatever he does Colm’s hard work and integrity is an example of a caring individual. As a member of Amnesty Ireland I can attest to this man’s dedication to human rights. It is heartening to have him as our executive director.