Menu
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.)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 July 2017
Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Fraud And Money Offences Released
A 70-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of fraud and money offences has been released on bail pending further enquiries. The woman was arrested in west Belfast following and incident in Coleraine after the PSNI were alerted of a suspicious withdrawal from a 74-year-old man's account.
Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Fraud And Money Offences Released
A 70-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of fraud and money offences has been released on bail pending further enquiries. The woman was arrested in west Belfast following and incident in Coleraine after the PSNI were alerted of a suspicious withdrawal from a 74-year-old man's account.
14 November 2012
Alleged Abuse Victim Suffered From Depression
The trial of a former Ulster and Ireland rugby player has been told one of the alleged victims suffered from depression. David Tweed is accused of abusing two young girls, both now adults, on a number of occasions over an eight-year period.
Alleged Abuse Victim Suffered From Depression
The trial of a former Ulster and Ireland rugby player has been told one of the alleged victims suffered from depression. David Tweed is accused of abusing two young girls, both now adults, on a number of occasions over an eight-year period.
27 May 2010
Priest Guilty Of Abusing Three Sisters
A Dublin-based priest has been convicted of sexually abusing three young sisters in Northern Ireland. Fr Eugene Lewis was found guilty by a jury at Omagh Crown Court of 11 counts of indecently assaulting the three sisters between August 1963 and September 1973.
Priest Guilty Of Abusing Three Sisters
A Dublin-based priest has been convicted of sexually abusing three young sisters in Northern Ireland. Fr Eugene Lewis was found guilty by a jury at Omagh Crown Court of 11 counts of indecently assaulting the three sisters between August 1963 and September 1973.
24 June 2010
Uproar As Child Abuse Brothers 'Released'
There's further controversy today as victims of sex abuse at the hands of a Fermanagh family are calling for a review of mental health legislation. They said they want a different way of dealing with sex offenders who, they feel, have escaped justice - as they claim is the case with two brothers deemed mentally unfit to plead.
Uproar As Child Abuse Brothers 'Released'
There's further controversy today as victims of sex abuse at the hands of a Fermanagh family are calling for a review of mental health legislation. They said they want a different way of dealing with sex offenders who, they feel, have escaped justice - as they claim is the case with two brothers deemed mentally unfit to plead.
22 April 2024
312 Alleged Stalkers Arrested Since April 2022
A total of 312 alleged stalkers have been arrested in Northern Ireland, with 150 facing being charged, since the introduction of new legislation in April 2022.
312 Alleged Stalkers Arrested Since April 2022
A total of 312 alleged stalkers have been arrested in Northern Ireland, with 150 facing being charged, since the introduction of new legislation in April 2022.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
