AN SDLP MLA has spoken publicly for the first time about his adopted brother's recent conviction on sex charges.
Pat Catney (63) said his brother Jim's sexual assualt of a young girl as indefensible.
The Lagan Valley representative, who previously owned the Kitchen Bar in Belfast city centre, said he was shocked by his brother's actions and that his thoughts were with the victim.
In May this year, James Catney (67) received a three-year sentence, suspended for three years, after pleading guilty to three counts of gross indecency and three of indecent assault.
He was placed on the sex offenders register for life and made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order.
His younger brother, Pat, who was elected to the assembly in March, told the Belfast Telegraph, the episode was a "dark time" for everyone concerned, but added that his sibling has not been disowned by the family.
"I try to be protective of him but we have to think of the victim," said Mr Catney.
He said the family felt a "sense of shame" over the case.
"We didn't know anything about it. It came as a complete shock. Jim was out of our lives for a long time, maybe 30 years."
The offences took place on dates between December 31 1990 and January 1 1994 when James Catney was aged between 41 and 44 and the victim aged between eight and 11.
The court heard that Catney had developed behavioural problems from the age of 16 when he discovered he had been adopted and started to abuse alcohol.
"I spoke to Jim about what he did and how wrong that was; he understood that," said Mr Catney.
