A former Catholic priest who may be extradited to his native Ireland on
sex-abuse charges was denied bail by a San Francisco federal judge.
Patrick Joseph McCabe, who is no longer a member of the clergy, was
arrested in California this summer with a view toward extradition.
Irish authorities say McCabe, 74, molested six boys between 1973 and
1981.
American men have also come forward in recent months claiming that
McCabe molested them as boys when he worked as a priest in California
parishes.
McCabe has made six requests for bail - each denied by California
judges - and is "flatly mistaken in his interpretation of the law."
McCabe argued that he deserves bail because of his deteriorating health
and because he would be granted bail on the charges in Ireland.
He also
claimed that charges against him have been unusually delayed.
In response to McCabe's most recent request, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag
wrote that McCabe is not entitled to release because he is a predator
and a flight risk, with no ties to the community.
"McCabe abused
his position of trust and authority to serially sexually molest young
boys to fulfill his own admitted fetish," Haag wrote.
"The fact that the
majority of these children apparently delayed coming forward to
authorities to report their victimization should be fully expected; it
should not, perversely, then be used by their molester as a basis for
freedom."
U.S. Magistrate Judge denied McCabe's latest request
on Friday, agreeing that the possibility of bail in another country is
irrelevant.
McCabe's extradition hearing is set for Feb. 4.
SIC: CNS/USA