Court approves extradition of two clergy to NZ over child sex charges

Two Catholic clergymen facing extradition to New Zealand on child sex offences are likely to make a bail application in the High Court next week.

A full bench of the Federal Court has today ordered that Brother Rodger Moloney and Father Raymond Garchow be extradited to New Zealand.

They are accused of abusing young boys at the St John of God Marylands school in Christchurch between 1971 and 1980.

The men had previously won an appeal against their extradition arguing that too much time had passed since the alleged offences, but New Zealand authorities have today won an appeal against that decision.

The pair were taken into custody by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers today, but they will not be extradited to New Zealand until they have exhausted all the avenues for appeal.

Brother Moloney was born in Australia, while Father Garchow was born in New Zealand, but both have lived in Australia for a number of years.

The men were taken into custody, but their barrister says they are likely to lodge an application for special leave to appeal the case to the High Court.