UTV
December 23, 2010
http://www.u.tv/News/Ballymena-priest-cleared-of-child-abuse/7317f778-9678-4cce-95f1-f479de2374fe
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A Ballymena priest, who was awarded an OBE for community work, is no longer being investigated over a child sex abuse allegation.
Fr Paul Symonds, 65, was being investigated by police after an allegation of abuse was made against him relating to the time he spent at a Catholic boarding school in east Lancashire in the 1970s.
Lancashire Constabulary has confirmed that it is no longer investigating the matter.
Fr Symonds was never charged with any offence, however, he voluntarily stepped down from public ministry while the inquiry was underway.
The clergyman was originally arrested by the Metropolitan Police in November 2009 on suspicion of indecent assault as the claimant resided in London at the time.
During his time in Ballymena, Fr Symonds worked tirelessly to eradicate sectarianism in the area and was awarded an OBE in return.
In a statement to the Irish News on Wednesday night, the Diocese of Down and Connor said that they had not yet been informed of the decision.
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