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Senedd to decide on Caldey Island sex inquiry as petition reaches 5000 signatures

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A PETITION signed by over 5,000 people calling for a probe into child abuse allegations on a Pembrokeshire island, has led to a debate in the Senedd tomorrow (Monday, Nov 1)

The petition has been submitted by Kevin O’Connell, who says he is the victim of child abuse by priests and monks.

He says that he wants to persuade the Welsh Government to told an inquiry into the historic child abuse on Caldey Island.

He said: “Victims need the truth and answers as to why an ongoing investigation for 29 years has failed the victims. The inquiry will help to safeguard children in the future.”

In 2017 it came to light that the island has a long history of child sexual abuse after six women received compensation from the island’s abbey after being abused by Kotik. There are 21 victims who have now come forward and reported similar offences to Dyfed Powys Police with cases going back to the 1960s.

On a family holiday to the island when he was six years old, Kevin O’Connell said that he met the monk, Kotik. He said that they became friends and he began spending time alone with him.

“Caldey Island was a paradise. It was beautiful. I played with other children, the beach, volleyball and football, it was special. Father Thaddeus became very special to me, and he gave me the love I didn’t get at home from my Dad.”

Kotik, a former soldier who fought for the Free Polish army during the Second World War, moved to the island in 1947 and joined the strict Cistercian Order.

The monk was ordained a priest in 1956 and lived on the island until his death in 1992. It appears he was never questioned by police, who were not informed of allegations against him until 2014.

After the holiday Kevin says that Kotik kept in touch with him and sent him photos of Caldey Island in the post.

After becoming an altar boy he went on several more holidays to Caldey Island, arranged and funded by his local Catholic Church.

He never told his parents what Kotik did to him.

In 2019 Brother Daniel van Santvoort was asked for his response to the latest evidence that Kevin O’Connell was also abused on the island. Despite contacting the Brother several times, he never responded.  

Caldey Abbey, Caldey Island (Stock image)


SENEDD TO DECIDE ON INQUIRY

The petition coordinator says that there is a lack of accountability of the Cistercian Order of Caldey Abbey, and that victims have lost faith in the police investigation, that the local police have a conflict of interest and that the police have failed to conduct a full investigation.

A report submitted to the Welsh Government by Dinah Mulholland, Coordinator, Caldey Island Survivors Campaign makes shocking reading. He says: “Solicitors Michael Imperato and David Greenwood, acting on behalf of Caldey Island victims, both consider that from the scale of abuse reported by victims that it was perpetrated on an industrial scale, and that it is likely that Caldey was a hub for paedophiles.

“It is our opinion that it is likely that Caldey Island is known within paedophile networks as a safe place to be shielded, with the opportunity to perpetrate active or online abuse whilst on the island.
The abuse on Caldey could potentially be on a very significant scale. Over the decades there have been:

  • children who came on holiday with their families; referrals from RC churches in Wales and across the UK who came without their parents;
  • a primary school on the island and a reform school on the island.

Supporting documents show that the key messages from the campaign to the Petitions Committee are:
“That we are currently occupied with attempting to discover, on a voluntary and part-time basis, the scale of abuse by known and by other potential perpetrators. This is a huge job, it exceeds our capacity, and properly falls within the remit of the police or a public inquiry.

“We would urge the Senedd to hold a public inquiry into the abuse, and institutional facilitation/cover up of abuse by the Abbey, on Caldey Island. This inquiry, in our opinion, would need to consider any failings by statutory authorities to protect children who stayed on or visited the island, and any failings in investigations into the abuse. It would also need to consider the structural issues of the autonomy and lack of accountability of the Cistercian Order as it operates within Wales.

“If a public inquiry is unlikely to fall within Senedd powers or remit, or the Senedd considers that there is not enough evidence for a public inquiry to be warranted, then we would like to request that Welsh Government recommend a full and thorough investigation, by an external police force with expertise in large scale historic child sexual abuse, takes place.

“That may reveal the new information that would be required for a public inquiry.”

LAW SPECIALIST

Michael Imperato, Director & Head of Public & Administrative law at prominent Cardiff law firm Watkins & Gunn has advised that there are a number of reasons why a Public Inquiry is the only proper process that should be followed:
The advice is as follows:

“The Deputy Minster refers on a number of occasions to police investigations. The police are one of the bodies who would be significantly scrutinised by any such inquiry. There are various allegations by victims, which may or may not be unfounded, as to police complicity in “turning a blind eye” or subsequent “cover ups”. Numerous inquiries take place where there have been previous police investigations (Saville, Orgreave, IICSA, Infected Blood, Shipman) – often the investigation undertaken by the police is proved to be wholly inadequate. This is not a reason against a public inquiry.

“Child safeguarding is a critical issue and is of course devolved. It was common during the time that the sexual abuse was being undertaken, for Catholic schools in Wales and in England to send children to the island and for the Local Authority to allow – even to actively promote – holidaying families (with of course young children) to visit the island. Many of those children will then have been victims of abuse. Therefore, issues arise as to what schools and Local Authorities actually knew as to what was happening on Caldey, what steps did they take – or more pertinently – not take? Lessons must be learnt to ensure children are properly protected today.

“The Catholic church is quite obviously culpable and has a case to answer. What did the church authorities in Wales know of the abuse that was taking place on Caldey Island? How did they interact with other authorities/public bodies in Wales?

“The fact that the Inquiry is touching on matters from some time ago, should not be a deterrent. I am currently acting for several hundred Welsh victims from the Infected Blood Scandal, which concerns a time period, primarily, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It could be argued that the fact that the matter concerns events some years ago, means that it is even more urgent that such events are scrutinized at this time. Indeed, one of the terms of reference of the Infected Blood Inquiry is why it has taken so long for there to be a thorough investigation, what happened and why? Just because there has been no investigation to date does not mean that it should not be investigated now.”

CAMPAIGNERS ARE SAYING:

1)Twenty six individuals have now come forward as victims of the paedophile monks. The police have failed to undertake an overarching investigation which is now standard practice following ‘Operation Yewtree’ .
2) An outside force needs to investigate the lack of police action as victims no longer trust that Dyfed Powys police will be willing to shine a spotlight on their friends at the Abbey. Why do I write ‘friends’? The lead chaplain of Dyfed Powys Police is the dean of Pembroke who has Caldey Island within his parish. The monastery appointed a safeguarding person but he is a former member of the south Wales police, turned monk and is a director of the estate of Caldey Island so it might be difficult to see him as independent.
3)Solicitors acting on behalf of the survivors believe Caldey was not just home to one paedophile monk but a hub for paedophile monks where they could come and go as they please and even hide away from police, which has been proven.
4) The police are failing in their duty of care not only towards past victims but also by not having any officers patrolling the island amongst the thousands of tourists visiting currently. The Cistercian order did not report past crimes against children to the police, yet are deemed adequate to safeguard children today by the police force failing to investigate properly.

(Cover photo: Father Thaddeus Kotik photographed with a child on Caldey Island, Wales, in the early 1980s.)

Entertainment

Join TV and radio presenter Hester Grainger live at the Torch

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THIS June, the Torch Theatre welcomes ADHD coach, speaker and former Wright Stuff presenter Hester Grainger to the stage with her powerful and uplifting show, ADHD: Unmasked.

Expect an evening of open conversation, laughter, and refreshingly honest insights into life with ADHD. In a supportive and inclusive space, Hester invites everyone—whether living with ADHD, supporting someone who is, or simply curious—to share stories, connect, and feel seen.

A well-known voice in the neurodivergent community, Hester is a regular podcast guest and media contributor. Her appearance on ADHD Chatter with Alex Partridge went viral, with clips from the episode racking up over 22 million views.

ADHD: Unmasked is an interactive, dopamine-filled evening where Hester shares how to embrace a fast-paced mind, practise self-compassion, and tap into the strengths of neurodiversity. She’ll also speak candidly about family life—raising two autistic/ADHD teenagers and living with her autistic/ADHD husband—as well as navigating ADHD in the workplace, friendships, relationships, and late diagnosis.

Audience participation is welcome, with opportunities to ask questions throughout. Whether you’ve received a diagnosis or are just starting your journey, this event offers connection, laughter, and a sense of belonging. You’ll leave feeling empowered, informed—and most importantly—reminded that you are not alone.

Hester began her media career on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, going on to work with Loose Women and Today with Des and Mel. She has featured on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, and hosted her own show on BBC Radio Berkshire.

She has appeared on leading podcasts such as ADHD Chatter, The Hidden 20%, and ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, and her writing has been published by HuffPost, Evening Standard, Reader’s Digest, and Arabian Business.

Alongside her husband Kelly, Hester co-founded Perfectly Autistic, a neurodiversity consultancy providing training, talks, and coaching to support neurodivergent employees. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in their forties, after Kelly’s earlier autism diagnosis.

Hester says: “I’m so excited to tour the UK talking about ADHD—something I’m truly passionate about. Being diagnosed in my forties finally gave me the answers I’d been searching for my whole life. With growing awareness, so many people have questions and want to understand more. This evening will be fun, entertaining, and honest—and nothing’s off limits.”

ADHD: Unmasked comes to the Torch Theatre on Friday 6 June at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £26
Book online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

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News

Pembroke Dock boy walks out with Spurs captain at Stamford Bridge

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AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy from Pembroke Dock had the experience of a lifetime on Thursday night (Apr 4), when he was selected as the official mascot for Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Joey Williams, a pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School, walked out onto the pitch hand-in-hand with Spurs’ team captain, Son Heung-min, in front of a packed stadium and millions of viewers watching around the world.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was part of Tottenham Hotspur’s official mascot programme. Joey, who recently turned eight, travelled to London with his family to take part in the unforgettable event.

His proud mum, KatieJane Solomon, told The Herald: “My son lives in Pembroke Dock and was chosen to be mascot for the Chelsea vs Tottenham game tonight. He walked out with Son Heung-min!”

“He’s a very big Spurs fan so we signed him up to be a member on there website about a year ago and he was very lucky selected at random last month.”

The Premier League clash ended in high drama, but for Joey, the biggest highlight was walking out alongside his football heroes.

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News

Trump’s tariffs threaten Welsh exports as luxury carmakers face uncertain future

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Aston Martin and TVR among firms at risk from new US automotive import tax

WELSH exporters have been dealt a major blow after former US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on UK goods, including a 25% tariff on all automotive imports into the United States, sparking concern across Wales’ high-value manufacturing sector.

The announcement, made on April 2, also includes a 10% baseline tariff on all UK imports into the US, taking effect from April 5. These new charges come on top of previously announced 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium and automotive parts, with only a limited number of product exemptions such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

The United States is Wales’ second largest export market, accounting for 13.5% of total goods exports. In 2024, Welsh goods trade with the US was valued at £6.4bn, with £2.2bn in exports and £4.2bn in imports. Of the 3,188 Welsh firms that exported goods globally in 2024, over a third (33.4%) exported to the US.

While Welsh exports span sectors from steel to technology, some of the hardest-hit businesses could be those involved in high-end automotive manufacturing—a sector that Wales has been nurturing in recent years.

Luxury carmakers in the firing line

Aston Martin’s factory in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, opened in 2020 to manufacture the DBX luxury SUV, has been a flagship project for Welsh industry. With many of these vehicles aimed at wealthy international buyers, particularly in the US, a 25% tariff could significantly hinder their competitiveness abroad.

Similarly, TVR’s long-awaited revival, with plans to produce its new Griffith sports car in Ebbw Vale, is expected to rely heavily on overseas sales, including to American car enthusiasts. Any additional import taxes on these cars could make them prohibitively expensive in the US market—potentially delaying investment and job creation in the Welsh factory.

Both brands represent the premium end of British automotive design and were supported by the Welsh Government as part of a strategy to attract advanced manufacturing jobs.

Welsh Government: “Far-reaching impacts”

Reacting to the announcement, Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, expressed “deep concern” about the likely effects of the tariffs.

“Whilst it is a small relief to see that the tariffs applied to UK imports are lower than those imposed on the EU, a 10% tariff represents a significant rise for most products,” she said.

“These changes will affect almost all of our businesses that export to the US.”

Evans said the Welsh Government remains in close contact with Westminster and is working with business and industry leaders to assess the fallout. Support will be available through existing business support programmes, and regular updates will be provided as the full impact becomes clearer.

Could there be an upside for UK consumers?

Amid the gloom, some experts suggest UK consumers might see short-term benefits, especially in the used car market.

Aidan Rushby, CEO of car finance company Carmoola, said the tariffs could create a glut of nearly-new and unsold stock that ends up staying in the UK.

“If British manufacturers struggle to sell into the US, we could see more cars redirected to the domestic market, which may mean better deals for UK consumers,” he said.

“An economic wobble caused by global trade tensions could also push used car prices lower as demand softens. That’s good news for buyers, but for current car owners, it could mean faster depreciation.”

Rushby added that it’s more important than ever for buyers to stay informed and work with responsible lenders.

Renewable energy sector raises alarm

It’s not just manufacturing that could suffer. Jane Cooper, Deputy Chief Executive of RenewableUK, warned that the broader fallout from tariffs and trade disputes could stifle green innovation and investment.

“These tariffs, combined with the US Government’s recent moves to halt offshore wind development, will mean UK and American companies will miss out on opportunities to trade, invest and collaborate in clean technology,” she said.

While trade in renewable goods between the UK and US is limited, Cooper said many UK-based manufacturers operate across Europe, and the disruption to supply chains could be significant.

Business leaders urged to prepare

The Institute of Directors (IoD) North Wales hosted a key event last week in Bangor, where industry experts briefed Welsh businesses on how best to navigate the evolving trade landscape.

David Roberts, Chair of North Wales IoD, said: “From global trade concerns such as Trump’s tariffs, to local investment opportunities in Flintshire and Wrexham, it’s vital that Welsh firms stay informed and resilient.”

Despite reassurances, there are no current plans for the UK to retaliate. The UK Government is seeking a negotiated solution with the US and has opened a consultation to assess the impact on British businesses.

For now, Welsh exporters—and especially those in automotive and high-tech sectors—face a turbulent road ahead.

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