A Presbyterian minister accused of child abuse has been told he can resume his duties after he was cleared by separate police and church investigations, it emerged today.
The Reverend Dr Lawrence Hilditch took voluntary leave of absence from his position in Castlederg, Co Tyrone in January 2005 after a complaint was made by a member of his congregation.
But the Church today confirmed he will be able to return to his duties as minister of First Castlederg and Killester Presbyterian Churches.
A church spokesman said: "Dr Hilditch and the Presbyterian Church co-operated fully with the statutory authorities including the PSNI in their dealing with this matter.
"Subsequently Dr Hilditch was told by the statutory authorities that they would be taking no further action.
"The Church has now completed it own investigation and concluded that the matter should be taken no further."
Local parishioners were informed of the decision during the Sunday morning service by Rev Donald Watts, Clerk of the General Assembly.
Dr Hilditch was first installed as a minister in Moy in 1994 and moved to Newtownards in 2000. He was transferred to Castlederg towards the end of 2003.
A date for the minister's return had yet to be agreed with the Presbytery.