IRELAND
Kilkenny People
Published on Sunday 6 May 2012
A KILKENNY priest falsely accused of child abuse has returned to his parish after taking a leave of absence while the matter was sorted out writes Sean Keane. The Church of The Assumption in Mooncoin in the south of the county was full on Saturday night as Fr Peter Muldowney, returned to say Mass for the first time since September 24, 2010 when he asked for a leave of absence. He was assisted in the Mass by his bishop, Dr Seamus Freeman who welcomed the Kilmanagh native back to the parish where he has been doing great work for the last number of years.
Addressing the parishioners, Fr Muldowney thanked them for their support and invited everyone back to the parochial house after the service for tea and sandwiches. He received a round of applause from the congregation.
Speaking to the Kilkenny People, he said he was relieved and happy to be back and that everyone who knew him was aware that he was innocent. He bears no grudges over what happened.
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