BBC News
April 9, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8612047.stm
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| The case was heard at Belfast Magistrates Court |
Police investigating a priest over alleged child sex abuse offences are still to speak to potential witnesses outside NI, a court has heard.
Father James Donaghy, 52, is facing 15 charges, including multiple counts of indecent assault and threats to kill.
The offences are alleged to have been committed by the former Bangor parish priest between 1983 and 2000.
Fr Donaghy, of Lady Wallace Drive, Lisburn, has stood down from clerical duties.
He is still regarded as a member of the Catholic clergy.
Fr Donaghy is reported to have been working for an airline handling agent at Belfast International Airport prior to being charged earlier this year.
The offences he is charged with also include buggery and attempted buggery with a boy aged under 16, and gross indecency.
Following an earlier hearing he appeared again before Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday for an update on the case.
A representative from the Public Prosecution Service said it had not yet received a full file from police.
He said: "The officer has still to speak to a number of people who, at present, are not in this country."
The court was told this situation is expected to change soon.
Fr Donaghy was released on continuing bail to appear again later this month.
District Judge Fiona Bagnall told the court: "I would like a full update by that stage and a timetable of what is outstanding."
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