Priest Arrested over Alleged Theft of ˆ600k

By Cormac O’Keeffe
Irish Examiner
March 1, 2014

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/priest-arrested-over-alleged-theft-of-600k-260493.html

The middle-aged priest was arrested on Wednesday and questioned by a team of detectives tasked with investigating the matter over the last six months, before being later released.

The priest is alleged to have taken regular holidays abroad, staying in luxurious hotels, as well as dining out in expensive restaurants here. The alleged fraud is believed to have gone on for almost 13 years.

Detectives suspect the priest was making false claims for Mass stipends.

Under canon law, a priest is entitled to receive one stipend (share) from the religious order or diocese from collections made during the celebration of Mass and ceremonies such as christenings and weddings.

It is alleged the priest lodged claims on a regular basis, including, it is claimed, under the names of 12 other priests, who were unaware of what was going on. In other cases, fictitious names are alleged to have been used.

A special Garda team is examining stays involving the priest at luxury hotels abroad and purchases of expensive items, including jewellery. Garda sources said they were investigating suspicions the priest may also have had a gambling problem.

Gardai were called in to investigate seven months ago. Detectives spent some time uncovering a financial trail and speaking to priests whose names were allegedly used by the suspect to claim payments. A file will be prepared for the DPP.