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24/09/2012
Priest On Trial Over Abuse Of Young Girl
A Catholic priest has been placed on trial, having been accused of abusing a young girl nearly three decades ago.
69-year-old Peter Donnelly abused the alleged victim at the parochial house of St. Matthew’s Church, Belfast.
The charges at Belfast Crown Court amount to six counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency between 31 July and 1 August, 1987. The accused denies all charges.
The alleged offences initially came to light in September of 2010, when the alleged victim, now forty years old, came forward to tell police how she was abused between the ages of ten and fourteen.
At the time, Fr. Donnelly claimed he could not recall the girl, or her family, but eventually stepped down from his post. He remarked at the time that he "certainly denied that he had ever in any way abused" the alleged victim.
Prosecuting lawyer Kate McKay told the jury to ignore any feelings of prejudice or sympathy when coming to their conclusions.
Ms. McKay remarked that the charge would have to be indecent assault, given the legal age of the victim at the time. She explained that consent could not be an issue.
(I.T.)
69-year-old Peter Donnelly abused the alleged victim at the parochial house of St. Matthew’s Church, Belfast.
The charges at Belfast Crown Court amount to six counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency between 31 July and 1 August, 1987. The accused denies all charges.
The alleged offences initially came to light in September of 2010, when the alleged victim, now forty years old, came forward to tell police how she was abused between the ages of ten and fourteen.
At the time, Fr. Donnelly claimed he could not recall the girl, or her family, but eventually stepped down from his post. He remarked at the time that he "certainly denied that he had ever in any way abused" the alleged victim.
Prosecuting lawyer Kate McKay told the jury to ignore any feelings of prejudice or sympathy when coming to their conclusions.
Ms. McKay remarked that the charge would have to be indecent assault, given the legal age of the victim at the time. She explained that consent could not be an issue.
(I.T.)
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