Father Michael Dermody
Diocese of Sacramento
Ordained: 1958
Removed: 1989
Charged: 1992
Dead: 2006
Assignment History:
- 1958-1962: St. Joseph (Auburn, CA)
- 1962-1966: St. Anthony (Mt. Shasta, CA)
- 1965-1970: St. Lawrence (Highlands, CA)
- 1970-1974: St. Joseph (McCloud, CA)
- 1974-1989: St. Dominic (Orland, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Michael Dermody:
Originally from Ireland, Fr. Michael Dermody was ordained in 1958 as a priest of the Diocese of Sacramento. According to media reports, after serving almost 30 years in the ministry, Dermody was accused of performing sexual assault and forced intercourse with a woman between the ages of 18-25 in 1989. Two other victims came out thereafter, accusing Dermody of sexual assault on boys under the age of 14.
Dermody was removed from ministry in 1989, and in 1992 a jury absolved the Sacramento Diocese of responsibility for the priest. Dermody was sentenced to pay $1.6 million in damages to the three victims, which he said could never happen on his low income. In the bizarre findings, the reports included the use of marijuana use, drinking, trysts in a public park, and sex in the rectory.
Dermody was included on the Diocese of Sacramento 2019 list of priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse.
Dermody died in 2006 at his ancestral home in Colorado.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Sacramento in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California’s Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Sacramento now have legal options due to a temporary change in the law, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in California and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.