Derry Journal
October 22, 2007
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Priest-cleared-of-abusing-girl.3400755.jp
A Derry priest has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl thirty years ago.
Father Patrick Crilly, a former Diocesan Director of Vocations, was acquitted on two charges of indecently assaulting the girl when she had gone to him for counselling about becoming a nun in the late 1970s.
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| Fr Patrick Crilly pictured outside Derry Courthouse after being found not guilty by direction of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl. |
This morning, the Public Prosecution Service told Derry Crown Court it was not offering any evidence.
The jury was then ordered to find him not guilty by direction. After leaving the court, Father Crilly said he was relieved the "awful nightmare" was over.
Fr Crilly paid tribute to the support of other clergy, adding that it was too early to talk about his future plans.
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