A Catholic priest who was forced to step down
from public ministry after an allegation of indecent assault is no
longer the subject of a police inquiry.
Fr Paul Symonds, 65, was being investigated by Lancashire
police about an allegation of abuse at a school in the county in the
1970s.
Before he stood down in November 2009, he was awarded an OBE for his cross-community work in his Ballymena parish.
Originally from England, his first posting in NI was in Drumbo.
A spokesperson for Down and Connor diocese told the Irish
News on Wednesday night that it had not yet been informed of the
development and "such matters are the responsibilities of the civil
authorities".
He said the subject of Fr Symonds returning to to active
ministry "will be considered by the diocesan safeguard committe
according to the national guidelines for safeguarding".
When contacted by the BBC, Fr Symonds said that he could not
comment until outstanding legal issues within the diocese are resolved.
SIC: BBC/NI-UK