Gerard McGinnity is an author and Parish Priest of Knockbridge

Knockbridge

Knockbridge is a small village within the townland of Ballinlough in County Louth, Ireland.-Facilities:The village is centred on a crossroads, where there is a pub and a shop...

, County Louth

County Louth

County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...

, Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

, a parish of the Archdiocese of Armagh

Archdiocese of Armagh

Archdiocese of Armagh may refer to:* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh, a senior primatial and metropolitan see of Ireland* Diocese of Armagh , one of four dioceses of the Church of Ireland...

.
McGinnity was appointed Junior Dean at St Patrick's College, Maynooth

St Patrick's College, Maynooth

St Patrick's College, Maynooth is the "National Seminary for Ireland" , and a Pontifical University, located in the village of Maynooth, 15 miles from Dublin, Ireland. The college and seminary are often referred to as Maynooth College. The college was officially established as the Royal College...

, Ireland's national seminary, when he was 26 years old. He was appointed Senior Dean at the age of 32 in 1978, decades younger than previous holders of the post.

In 1984, he was approached by students who had concerns about the behaviour of the college's Vice President, Dr Micheal Ledwith, including concerns of a sexual nature.