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	Priest Denies Paying Boy £20 for Sex By Alison Cridland The Argus October 11, 2007 http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1753939.0.priest_denies_paying_boy_20_for_sex.php A parish priest denied paying a young boy £20 for sex, a jury heard. Father Dermot Keaveney, 72, is on trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of sexually abusing two brothers in his congregation more than 30 years ago. The alleged victims claim their parish priest repeatedly sexually assaulted them while the clergyman held posts at churches in Brighton and Hove. Giving evidence at the trial, Keaveney denied the allegations were true. He said he befriended the boys and tried to give them and their family support and help but he never abused the children. The Catholic clergyman denied having any sexual interest in young boys although he admitted liking women and described having happy memories of friendships with females when he was younger. He also confessed he liked to look at photographs of models in the magazine that came with Sunday newspapers. During cross-examination he denied having a violent temper and brow-beating the boys and claimed he was perplexed by the allegations of abuse as he had never been anything but generous, kind and loving to the family. He denied abusing his position as a parish priest to gain the family's trust. When asked by Gillian Etherton, prosecuting, "Why on earth would two grown men want to make serious allegations against their priest who was only kind to them?", Keaveney replied: "That is for them to answer." He added: "As far as I am concerned they were my friends. I don't bear any animosity whatsoever. I still care for the family and wish them well." The court heard Keaveney, who lives at the Priest's House, St Anselm Churt (correct), Beacon Hill, Hindhead, Surrey, denies 15 charges of indecent assault and buggery between 1975 and 1982. One of the brothers was aged 11 to 15 when the alleged abuse occurred and the other was about 14 and 15. The boys have accused the priest of telling them to keep his allegedly perverted behaviour a secret. The trial continues.
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