A former missionary priest who was jailed for six years for sexually abusing young boys, and who has previous convictions for similar crimes, was yesterday released on strict conditions having served half his sentence.
Mr Patrick Maguire (67), who had an address at Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath was sentenced at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court in March 2000 for indecently assaulting five young boys at various locations in Dublin, Louth and Sligo.
In 1997 while he was in the UK, police received complaints that he had indecently assaulted young males under the age of fourteen and he spent a year at the Wolvercote Clinic in London.The offences happened between 1972 and 1980.
Judge Raymond Groarke had addressed the issue of re-offending which had concerned him and said he was satisfied that Maguire no longer appears to pose the risk he had three years ago and he has made considerable progress.The judge released him on his own bond and ordered a fresh report from the Probation and Welfare service detailing the period of supervision and treatment they believe Maguire requires. The case will be finalised at the next sitting of the court.