NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
By Brian Hutton
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
21 January 2005
A Catholic priest accused of sexual assault is to be allowed to continue his parish duties by the Bishop of Derry Most Rev Dr Seamus Hegarty, it was revealed today.
The priest at the centre of the claims last month handed over a cheque for a five-figure sum to the alleged victim following an out of court settlement.
The incident is alleged to have taken place at a parochial house, in October of 1992, where a young man was attending counselling for sexual abuse for nine months.
The man, who was 18-years-old at the time, claimed he was subjected to a sexual advance by a priest.
He confided in another priest who brought the matter to the attention of other members of the clergy, including Bishop Francis Lagan, who later met with the young man, it is claimed.
Posted by kshaw at January 21, 2005 10:56 AM