A fourth witness has come forward in the case of a Catholic priest accused of child sex abuse offences, a court has heard.Prosecutors made the disclosure as Father James Donaghy appeared in the dock on 15 charges, including multiple counts of indecent assault and threats to kill.
The offences are alleged to have been committed by the former Bangor parish priest between 1983 and 2000.
Donaghy, 52, and from Lady Wallace Drive, Lisburn, Co Antrim, has stood down from clerical duties but is still regarded as a member of the Catholic clergy.
He is reported to have been working for an airline handling agent at Belfast International Airport prior to being charged earlier this year.
The offences he is charged with also include buggery and attempted buggery with a boy aged under 16, and gross indecency.
Following an earlier hearing he appeared again before Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday for an update on the case.
He wore a grey suit, white shirt and pink and blue tie for the brief hearing.
A representative from the Public Prosecution Service told the court that all statements have not yet been received from police.
It was revealed that a fourth witness from the Irish Republic has now come forward, but have yet to give their statement.
The court also heard that an officer in the case is dealing with 16 interviews.
District Judge Fiona Bagnall granted an application for a six week adjournment in the case.
Donaghy was released on continuing bail to appear again in June.
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