A priest accused of a catalogue of sex attacks on a young girl, including one in a children's hospital, has been sent forward for trial.The 78-year-old former parish priest, who cannot be named, is charged with 51 counts of indecent assault.
He is accused of committing 50 of the offences in two parochial houses in Dublin and one offence in Temple Street Children's Hospital.
The alleged attacks happened between 1980 and 1984, when the complainant was aged between 12 and 16 years. She is now a 41-year-old woman.
Cautioned
The accused appeared before Judge Bryan Smyth in Dublin District Court last week.
Sergeant Brian Lyons told the court that he arrested the defendant on March 3 at Sundrive Road Garda Station.
The priest made no reply after being cautioned and he was handed a true copy of the charge sheet, the court heard.
Judge Smyth sent him forward for trial to the next sittings of the Circuit Criminal Court on bail on his own bond of €300.
The accused had an address in North Dublin but it was changed to that of a diocesan centre. Legal aid was not sought in the case.
Judge Smyth told the priest that, if he wished to rely on an alibi as a defence at the hearing, full details of the alibi would have to be supplied to the prosecution in writing within 14 days of yesterday's date.
The defendant's solicitor applied for the judge to issue a ruling preventing the identification of the priest.
The lawyer said the complainant had a right to anonymity in relation to the charges.
Identity
He argued that identifying the accused might well identify the complainant in these circumstances, adding that the identity of the priest should not be made public at this time.
Judge Smyth granted the application.
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(Source: EH)