Gardai have confirmed that a file is being prepared for the DPP in relation to allegation of sexual assault – dating from the 1970s – against a north Cork priest.Inspector Senan Ryan of Mallow Garda Station said this week that the complaint related to the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Mallow area in the 1970s.
The priest who is being accused has been questioned, Insp Ryan confirmed and gardai have interviewed the alleged victim and two other individuals.
“The file is being prepared and will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions before Christmas,” he concluded.
It is believed that the priest at the centre of this investigation is the same priest who was the subject of an internal church inquiry into similar charges by a different alleged victim in 2002.
At that time, Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan stated that the priest involved in the investigation was on “restricted ministry”.
At that time, Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan stated that the priest involved in the investigation was on “restricted ministry”.
The priest who is now being investigated, however, was known to be carrying out regular priestly duties in a north Cork town until a number of months ago. He is now retired.