Monday, November 08, 2010

Monk impersonator accused of robbing monastery

The Belfast High Court has heard how a man pretending to be a monk allegedly stole thousands of pounds from a Co Antrim monastery. 

Prosecutors said 27-year-old Francesco Ferro arrived at Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey in Portglenone, when they were expecting the arrival of a Brazilian Benedictine monk.

He had one bag and a monastic habit. 

He fell into the monastery's daily routine.

He was detained after police were called to investigate the theft of £500 and the disappearance of £8,500 from a 94-year-old monk's room.

Detectives also discovered that unauthorised transactions amounting to £2,000 were made on the monastery's credit card.

The court was told MR Ferro used different aliases to travel across Europe.

A defence lawyer said Mr Ferro intended to plead guilty to most of the charges but would be contesting the alleged £8,500 theft.
 
His bail application was adjourned.

SIC: RTE/IE