Priest Wins Appeal over Sex Conviction

4NI
January 17, 2012

http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=138427

A priest jailed for sexually abusing three young girls is set to be freed after winning his appeal against conviction.

Father Eugene Lewis has partially won his appeal today after senior judges dismissed three of eleven counts of indecent assault that the priest was found guilty of committing.

The 77-year-old was originally sentenced to four years in prison for the sex crimes he committed nearly 40 years ago but in September 2010 his sentence was reduced to two years and nine months.

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The latest development means the priest has served his time and he can now be released from custody.

Reasons for the decision reached by the Court of Appeal in Belfast will be given at a later date.

The Background

The priest was found guilty of sexual abuse crimes that stretch from 1963 to 1973. The abuse took place at the County Fermanagh home of three sisters. They said the abuse began when they were as young as seven. Lewis denied the charges.