THE trial of a priest accused of committing sexual offences more than four decades ago is set to begin next week, a court has been told.
Canon Patrick McEntee (70), of Esker Road, Dromore, faces charges of indecently assaulting five complainants between September 1978 and December 1989.
The offences are alleged to have occurred during his time in Co Fermanagh.
The cleric, who requested a leave of absence two years ago amid a serious safeguarding investigation, has denied all charges.
No details about the alleged offences have yet been disclosed in court.
However, at a pre-trial review hearing at Dungannon Crown Court on Wednesday, both prosecution and defence confirmed the case would proceed on Monday.
McEntee’s defence counsel indicated that the trial is expected to run into the following week.
Originally from Monaghan, Canon McEntee joined the staff of St Michael’s College, Enniskillen, in
1987, teaching religious studies and serving on the Board of Governors.
He was college president from 1994 to 2000 before becoming parish priest of St Davog’s Church in Dromore in 2001 – a role he held until his recent leave of absence.