NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
BY GEORGE JACKSON
A retired priest has pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court in Derry to stealing almost £1,800 of church funds.
John Irwin (72) from Garvagh Road in Dungiven, admitted stealing £1,440 of collection money from St Patrick’s Church in Pennyburn between May 2011 and October 2012. He also pleaded guilty to stealing £300 belonging to the Derry Diocesan Fund between December 2009 and May 2011.
Defence solicitor Michael McGee told District Judge Barney McElholm that Irwin has repaid the £300 in relation to the second charge as well as compensation of £700 to the diocesan authorities.
He said it was Irwin’s intention to repay in full the £1,440 of collection money he stole and he also intended to pay compensation to the diocesan authorities in relation to that amount.
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