Sunday, January 21, 2007

Irish Cleric to Face 6 Abuse Charges

A 62-year-old Catholic priest from the diocese of Derry has been returned for trial charged with six sex offences dating back over 30 years.

The priest, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty at the Crown Court in Derry yesterday to one charge of indecently assaulting a boy between August 30th and September 30th, 1972. He also denied committing an act of gross indecency with the same boy between the same dates.

The defendant also denied four charges of indecently assaulting a woman between September 1st, 1977, and November 19th, 1978.