BBC News [United Kingdom]
May 23, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/6685315.stm
A jury has heard closing arguments in the trial of a Catholic priest accused of facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old.
Father Jeremiah McGrath, 63, allegedly gave money to William Adams, 38, a sex offender originally from Belfast, to buy gifts for the girl from Liverpool.
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| Father Jeremiah McGrath denies the charges |
Adams raped the girl a number of times, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
Mr McGrath, 63, of County Fermanagh, denies three counts of facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
He also denies one count of sexual assault.
Mr McGrath, of Rosslea, knew Adams had a conviction for raping another girl in Ireland, and was aware that Adams took the Liverpool victim on frequent trips to Blackpool.
But the jury also heard claims the priest knew his cash was being used to groom the youngster and to buy her silence.
Mr McGrath denies any wrongdoing and insists the cash movements were linked to his gambling addiction.
Judge Brian Lewis will complete his summing up on Thursday morning and send out the jury to consider its verdict.
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