Priest who had child and decade-long secret relationship with woman 42 years his junior passes

IRELAND
Irish Independent

Denise Calnan

06/04/2016

A priest who hit global headlines in 2006 for having an affair with a woman 42 years his junior has passed away.

Fr Maurice ‘Mossie’ Dillane shocked parishioners when he retired from the priesthood in January 2006 after his long-term affair with a local woman was revealed. He received a massive outpouring of public support and sympathy at the time.

He passed away peacefully on Monday in the care of UCH Galway. A private removal will be held on Thursday to St Brigid’s Church, Portumna for Requiem Mass at noon.

Fr Dillane was a native of west Co Limerick and was a late vocation who joined the priesthood after working in banking.

He later served as a missionary priest in San Antonio, Texas for several years.

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