IRELAND
Tipperary Star
By Anne O'Grady - aog@tipperarystar.ie
A former priest, who was deported from the United States over four years ago, subsequently setting up home in Thurles, was said to have left the area as we went to press.
Oliver O’Grady, a native of Limerick City, had been living in rented accommodation on the Dublin Road prior to Thursday last but is now said to have left the house.
A former priest, Mr. O’Grady was ordained in St. Patrick’s College in Thurles in 1971 for the Diocese of Stockton in California.
However, he was laicised following his conviction for sexually abusing two young brothers in the Stockton Diocese in the 1980s and he was deported to Ireland in January 2001 after serving seven years in California State Prison for the offences.
Mr. O’Grady is understood to have taken up residence in Thurles in 2002, renting accommodation in a house on the Dublin Road.
During his time in the town he was said to have kept to himself and the ‘Tipperary Star’ understands that gardai in the town were aware of his presence and were monitoring the situation.
The 59-years-old Limerick man came to national prominence late last week after a transcript of a deposition he had given in relation to the abuse was lodged in a California Court days earlier.