NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
By Clare Weir
10 May 2005
A parish priest today slammed "untruths and lies" surrounding a collection for a curate accused of sexual assault.
Fr Andrew McCloskey took leave of absence from St Patrick's church in Dungiven earlier this year after it emerged that £19,000 was awarded in an out of court settlement following an allegation that he assaulted an 18-year-old in 1992.
It then emerged last week that parishioners had invited Fr McCloskey back to present him with the proceeds of a collection held on his behalf.
Over 2,000 churchgoers had already signed a petition of support for the clergyman.
However the presentation, to be held at St Canice's Hall was cancelled after media claims that the collection amounted to a five figure sum - which caused outrage among survivors of sexual abuse and support groups for victims of abuse.
Posted by kshaw at May 10, 2005 01:14 PM