Bishop Duffy says he has no questions to answer in Fermanagh abuse case
A spokesperson for the Bishop of Clogher said this week he had not been made aware of any allegations against de-frocked priest Jeremiah McGrath.
The spokesperson told a reporter from The Irish News that the Bishop, whose diocese includes parts of south Donegal, that once the PSNI informed the bishop of claims against McGrath, he co-operated fully with the investigations.
McGrath, who was born in Kerry, served as parish priest in the Fermanagh town of Roslea. He was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court in 2007 for assisting and facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old schoolgirl by his lover, convicted rapist Billy Adams.
The court heard that McGrath gave Adams, a Northerner who lived with him for several months in Roscrea parochial house, more than 20,000. Adams used the monies to buy gifts for his victim, whom he repeatedly raped over a six month period in 2005.
Although McGrath was aware at the time of Adams’ previous convictions for child sex offences, he claimed he did not know that Adams was abusing he girl. He said he thought Adams was spending the money on gambling.
It also emerged during the trial that McGrath had not warned the girl’s family about Adams’ history of sex offences.
When Adams’ abuse of the girl came to light in December 2005, Bishop Duffy co-operated fully with the PSNI, the spokesman said.
“The investigation into the activities of Jeremiah McGrath was initiated directly by the PSNI. No allegations had been made to Bishop Duffy.
“The PSNI, at a very early stage in the investigation, approached Bishop Duffy who co-operated with them fully.”
McGrath was immediately suspended from ministry.
The judge who presided at his trial told McGrath: “This is a grievous, serious offence and one of which you should be deeply ashamed.”
He described McGrath’s behaviour as “evasive, disingenuous utterly insincere”. McGrath, he added, had tried to minimise his part in the crimes and had shown no remorse.
McGrath was released last year after serving half of his five-year prison sentence. He is believed to be living in a half-way house in Liverpool.
His former order, St Patrick’s Missionary Society, confirmed that he was defrocked in July 2009.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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