Canterbury Metro Police are appealing for information following the lifting of name suppression for Rowan Maxwell Donoghue.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said the 68-year old is due to appear in Christchurch District Court on 10 March on charges related to historical sexual offending.

The alleged offending happened between 1996 and 2000, while Donoghue worked at St Bede’s College in Papanui.

Police are urging anyone with information about Donoghue that may be relevant to the investigation to come forward.

Donoghue’s lawyer Josh Lucas told chrislynchmedia.com “Father Donoghue has, after taking legal advice, abandoned the appeal against name suppression today.

“I have received notice that the High Court has recorded the appeal has been abandoned and, as such, name suppression has lapsed.

Father Donoghue has asked me to provide the following short statement to the media: Fr Donoghue is relying on the justice system to deliver a fair outcome to the charges made against him, for all parties concerned. He asks for privacy and will not be available for further comment or information so as to ensure that a just conclusion to these proceedings can occur.

That will be his only comment to the media at this point in time” Lucas said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said “Donoghue held a number of positions of responsibility involving young people for many years, including prior to the years in which the alleged offending took place.”

She acknowledged the trauma associated with such incidents and encouraged victims or witnesses to speak with police, assuring that all reports would be handled with dignity and respect.

“You can make a report at your local police station or contact police on 105 online, referencing file number: 230122/3143,” she said.

Support is also available through the Rape Crisis Line on 0800 883 300 or the National Sexual Harm Helpline on 0800 044 334.