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	Kilkenny Cleric Lived the High Life on Parishioners' Funds By Naoise O' Donovan Coogan Kilkenny Advertiser [Ireland] October 4, 2006 http://www.kilkennyadvertiser.ie/index.php?aid=2964 A 79 year old Kilkenny priest has been arrested and released on bail following the discovery that he and a clerical friend allegedly embezzled a Florida parish out of 8.6 million dollars, collected in offerings and donations from parishioners over 40 years. Former priests John Skehan, from Johnstown, County Kilkenny and Francis Guinan (63), from Mounthenry, Birr, Co Offaly were both charged with grand theft of over $100,000. Father Skehan, who was pastor at St Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach for four decades, was arrested at Palm Beach International Airport as he returned from a trip to Kilkenny just last week. Newspaper reports claim that both priests, Irish-born and friends for some 30 years, are accused of directing staff to make bank deposits in amounts of less than $10,000 to avoid notice and detection of their scam. In a newspaper report in the Pueblo Chieftan Newspaper in the USA, former book-keepers described to police in Florida, a scheme in which the priests often set up new bank accounts or wrote checks for non-existent construction projections to cover up their thefts. In a 15-page probable-cause affidavit issued by Delray Beach police, it's alleged that Kilkenny priest Fr John Skehan used the stolen funds to buy property and other assets. Police allege, Skehan used collection-plate funds donated to the church to pay for a Palm Beach County condominium, a $275,000 coin collection, a cottage in Clare close to the Cliffs of Moher and a pub in his native Kilkenny. It is also alleged that Skehan made regular cash payments to a woman, described in the affidavit as a "girlfriend," who once worked for him. Guinan, who was a pastor at St Patrick's Church in Palm Beach Gardens before succeeding Skehan at St Vincent's in September 2003, was described in the affidavit as a gambler who frequented casinos in Las Vegas and the Bahamas, and drew liberally from secret funds over which he had control. He used church funds to pay for $15,000 worth of dental work, and also made cash payments to his "girlfriend," a former St Patrick's bookkeeper, according to the affidavit. He also wrote checks totaling $7,270 to pay tuition for his girlfriend's son at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. Known for his lavish lifestyle, Guinan also has a reputation as a 'partier, not loath to take a drink'. Records have also shown in the US that in 2004 he was arrested for driving under the influence. Public records also show he owns several properties. Francis Guinan, has not yet been arrested and is being sought on a similar grand-theft charge. Police in Florida have said that they suspect Guinan may have fled the country. The Pueblo Chieftan says that in a news conference last week, Bishop Gerald Barbarito said that the probe into the church finances dates back to September 2003, when Skehan retired and Guinan was named to replace him. The people of Johnstown are remaining tight-lipped about the affair, and to date, the location of the pub which is alleged to be owned by the greedy Kilkenny cleric has not been revealed. Parishioners living in the parish of Delray Beach in Florida are said to be devastated at the revelations. Both men have been placed on administrative leave and have been suspended from any clerical duties.
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