Parishioners in Shock over Priest’s ?145k Fraud

News Letter
April 11, 2013

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/headlines/parishioners-in-shock-over-priest-s-145k-fraud-1-4986373

Father Conleth Byrne

PARISHIONERS in Loughinisland yesterday told of their “shock and sadness” after their 78-year-old former priest pleaded guilty to fraud earlier this week.

Fr Conleth Byrne, now retired, informed police he paid around ?145,000 of parish funds to Marie Hanna from Ballycastle over a 19-month period out of “charity” after she begged him for financial help, a court was told.

He pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position just before his trial was due to begin at Downpatrick Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that Byrne had been a priest in Loughinisland in Co Down when Ms Hanna, who is in her 50s, called at the parochial house in September 2007 and claimed to be in “dire need” of financial assistance.

Ms Hanna told Byrne she had just been released from prison, was homeless, had no adequate clothing, had been denied social security benefits and was in need of medication.

He gave her some money from his own savings – but this marked the “beginning of a cycle” whereby Ms Hanna would come to him on a regular basis seeking help and assistance, the court was told.

Over the next few months, Ms Hanna received ?45,000 from Byrne’s own personal funds and from money he borrowed from friends and family.

After he exhausted his own money, he began to use parish funds.

From early January 2008 to August 2009, Ms Hanna received between ?133,000 and ?145,000 in cash from Byrne, which he obtained through the cashing of cheques from the parish account.

Although the relationship between Byrne and Ms Hanna was not fully explained to the court, other than he had known her for a long time, prosecution and defence barristers stressed there were no issues of “personal gain, blackmail or sexual favours” in this case.

The court heard that Byrne, who has since retired to Bethlehem Abbey, Portglenone, had already repaid ?20,000 and intended to make further payments as best he could.

Byrne was released on bail to return for sentencing next month.

Last night, two of Byrne’s former parishioners – who both refused to be named – said he had been a “very popular figure”.

“No-one has really said very much about it because no-one knows anything other than what we read in the paper,” said one parishioner.

“He got on very well in the parish and was very popular. Then all of a sudden he disappeared and we were never told why – and still haven’t been told.

“Then when we started to read about it in the paper we were all very shocked. We should have been told.”

The parishioner added: “It is a terrible shame that this should happen to him at this time of his life.”

Another parishioner said: “I thought he was a very fine wee man. As a priest he was a bit naive and always trusted people. He was too trusting of people. He always reminded me of a wee boy who never grew up.

“It is very sad that someone at his stage of life would be duped like this. He was very pious and must have thought so much of the woman to give his own savings.

“To say it is sad is an understatement.”