March 02, 2006

Ulster priest in court on sex charges

NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph

By Linda McKee

02 March 2006
A priest from Northern Ireland was due to appear in court today charged with indecently assaulting and facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

He will appear alongside another Ulsterman who is accused of abducting and raping the girl.

Father Jeremiah McGrath (62), of The Parochial House, Church Road, Rosslea, Co Fermanagh, allegedly committed the offences in Merseyside and Blackpool between May and November last year.

He was arrested when he voluntarily presented himself at Enniskillen Police Station in December, after being contacted by his superior while he was in America.

McGrath was taken to Liverpool for questioning and later charged in connection with the allegations. The priest, who has been suspended by the Church, was expected to deny the charges when he appears before Liverpool Crown Court.

Posted by kshaw at March 2, 2006 07:24 AM