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	Ulster Priest in Court on Sex Charges By Linda McKee Belfast Telegraph [Northern Ireland] March 2, 2006 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=681060 A priest from Northern Ireland was due to appear in court today charged with indecently assaulting and facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl. He will appear alongside another Ulsterman who is accused of abducting and raping the girl. Father Jeremiah McGrath (62), of The Parochial House, Church Road, Rosslea, Co Fermanagh, allegedly committed the offences in Merseyside and Blackpool between May and November last year. He was arrested when he voluntarily presented himself at Enniskillen Police Station in December, after being contacted by his superior while he was in America. McGrath was taken to Liverpool for questioning and later charged in connection with the allegations. The priest, who has been suspended by the Church, was expected to deny the charges when he appears before Liverpool Crown Court. At his last appearance in the court, solicitor Tony Murphy said McGrath, who has no previous convictions and has worked abroad as a missionary, "strenuously denies" the allegations and will contest the case. He said that he enjoys the support of the Church. McGrath was released on bail on condition that he resides at a church address in Horsham, Sussex, does not enter Merseyside or approach prosecution witnesses, that he surrenders his passport and two ?5,000 sureties. In December, another Ulsterman, William Adams, of Meadow Hey, Bootle, appeared before the same court accused of abducting and raping the girl. Adams (38), who originates from Newtownabbey and who lived in the Republic before moving to England, was remanded in custody until March 2.
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