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