30/04/2012

Priest At Centre Of Gay Porn Images Granted Sabbatical

The priest at the centre of a dispute over gay pornographic images has been granted a sabbatical from his parish in Co Tyrone.

Fr Martin McVeigh has been caught up in controversy since the images flashed up on a screen during a presentation to parents in Pomeroy on March 26th, at which a child was also present, in preparation for First Communion.

Speaking last month Fr McVeigh said it has been “the most difficult of my life”.

He said he had no idea how the images came to be on the memory stick he was using, that others had access to the stick and that he “deeply regretted” the incident and his failure to check the presentation in advance.

Cardinal Seán Brady had already granted Fr McVeigh temporary leave, but in a statement read to parishioners in Pomeroy at Mass yesterday, it was revealed he would be taking a longer break.

An inquiry by the diocese has been carried out.

The laptop used for the presentation has been reported to the PSNI as stolen from the parochial house since March 26th.

(H)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 March 2024
'Plan Ahead' For St Patrick's Day Events This Weekend
Belfast City Council has outlined traffic and travel arrangements ahead of this Sunday's St Patrick's Day event in Belfast. A number of traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre. Visitors and participants are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel to and from the city centre.
06 November 2013
Brian O'Driscoll And Fr. Peter McVerry Granted Dublin Freedom
Brian O’Driscoll and Fr. Peter McVerry are to be awarded Freedom of the City of Dublin by Dublin City Council. The Lord Mayor’s nomination of the two men was approved and subsequently ratified at a Dublin City Council meeting on 4 November. Brian O’Driscoll is considered one of Ireland’s most successful rugby union players.
13 April 2012
Inquiry Into Gay Porn Images Shown To Parents By Priest Derailed
The laptop belonging to a priest who “inadvertently” showed gay pornographic images to a group of parents and one child has allegedly been stolen. The computer is believed to have been the only item stolen and the PSNI has made a public appeal to help solve the crime.
29 June 2011
Sinn Féin Pledges Support For Irish Language Strategy
Conradh na Gaeilge has commended Sinn Féin for seizing the opportunity to raise the question of the use of Irish in the Houses of the Oireachtas, and in the media in general, by organising a presentation ceremony of the Irish speakers’ symbol An Fáinne. The ceremony will take place today at Leinster House in Dublin.
31 August 2007
Food Innovators At International Exhibitions
Sixteen food companies, mostly smaller enterprises, are to display their products at two of the biggest exhibitions in the British Isles next week. They are taking part in stands organised by Invest NI’s Trade division at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in London and the SHOP exhibition in Dublin, both of which run from 2-4 September.