Dana's niece claims: 'She knew about my abuse 30 years ago'

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon knew of the alleged sexual abuse within her family 30 years ago, her niece insisted last night.

Speaking publicly about the controversy for the first time, Susan Gorrell (45) said she was molested by her uncle John Brown on a number of occasions between the ages of five and 13.

And she claimed that Dana -- Mr Brown's sister -- had known about the allegations for three decades.

"I now realise that perhaps it was a mistake not to press charges at the time, but my grandmother was still alive and my aunt was a public figure so that led to the earlier decision not to go forward with charges," the mother of three told the Irish Independent.

"I now know that keeping silent is not the answer and perhaps by me speaking out at this time it may help other victims who find themselves in the same situation.

"Although I told my mother and my aunt Rosemary (Dana) more than 30 years ago, my father and other relatives did not know until recent years," Mrs Gorrell added.

On the campaign trail in Donegal yesterday, Dana declined to take questions on the issue, saying she wished to "leave that behind now".

But during an interview on TV3 last Friday, she said the accusations were "completely false and malicious" and said the first she heard of them was during a civil court case in the US in a dispute over a music record company.

"They first arose in a family dispute court case, which would be five, six years ago," she said. "Nothing was ever acted upon.

declined to take questions on the issue, saying she wished to "leave that behind now".

But during an interview on TV3 last Friday, she said the accusations are "completely false and malicious" and said the first she heard of them was during a civil court case in the US in a dispute over a music record company.

"They first arose in a family dispute court case, which would be five, six years ago," she said. "Nothing was ever acted upon.

"They now arise for the second time, conveniently, in the middle of my presidential campaign and for the past 30, 35 years as it's alleged, no one has ever, neither the victim... neither the alleged victim or the family have ever taken any action on this so I know that these are false and malicious lies."

Mr Brown, her campaign co-ordinator, was uncontactable.

Speaking from her home in Donnellson, Iowa, last night, Mrs Gorrell said she had never spoken publicly about the alleged abuse before because of "shame" and "not wanting to damage" the family name.

However, she said she had recently finished counselling and had promised "that I would not lie or cover up any more about this matter".

And she said she was "horrified" after Dana had indirectly referenced the incidents on television, first during a presidential debate on RTE and later during the TV3 interview.

Mrs Gorrell said the references "horrified" her, she wanted people to know she had never contacted the media. "I was contacted by the media. In response to questions, I did what my counsellor had told me. I told the truth," she said.

The television industry executive has also released correspondence to the Irish Independent between her and Dana from 2005 -- three years before the civil court case in which the abuse was alleged in open court.

Mrs Gorrell claims these faxes confirm Dana's knowledge of the abuse before the court case, and prove that her statements on TV3 last week are incorrect.

During the civil action in Iowa in 2008, Mrs Gorrell's father, Dr Ron Stein, alleged that Dana and Mr Brown had been removed from the record company in 2005 after Dr Stein had learned of the sexual molestation of his daughter by Mr Brown.

"Previous to 2005, what happened to me was never freely spoken about outside of a few people and at that time there was no question of going to the police because my grandmom was still alive and there was the family name to consider," Mrs Gorrell said last night.

"I now think it's important that people do speak out."

"I am being made out as someone who wasn't abused. I was. I received counselling for that abuse and I have managed to track down my counsellor and my medical records.

VICTIM

"I look to clear my name as I will not be a victim again to protect other people's names. I will not be silenced again as I was in the past."

In the TV3 interview, Dana said she hadn't known about the allegations of abuse until they were made during the court case. Dana also stated that the accusations were false.

However, the Irish Independent has obtained letters exchanged by fax between Dana and her niece in 2005 -- three years before the court hearing.

The exchange happened after Mrs Gorrell read an email to her mother from Dana which showed how the allegations against Mr Brown had soured their relationship.

"The terrible manner in which John Brown had been forced from the company was nothing other than a business move to secure ownership," Dana said to Mrs Gorrell's mother, Susan Stein.

In a letter back to Dana on August 9, 2005, Mrs Gorrell alleged: "When I was young and spoke to you about everything, I trusted you and needed your help -- you have now turned your back on me and insinuate that John is being punished, which he never was, for ruining my life."

In a hand-written note faxed from Galway to Iowa, Dana then wrote back: "Dear Susie, not everything in life revolves around you and your brother and not everything that happens is the fault of your uncle John." She later sent another letter saying she would pray for Mrs Gorrell and her family.

Mrs Gorrell said last night: "I have been made out to be someone who has made up allegations and that has been very difficult for me these past few days. I intend to clear my name and the truth will come out.

"I will take any and all legal means available to me to restore my name and character which was attacked on the airing of Dana's statements this past week," she added.

"I am also in the process of consulting attorneys in Ireland about the potential damage done to my name, particularly on TV3, after all media had been notified by my attorneys (of my position) -- and which this station received before my aunt went on air last Friday."