A parish curate resigned yesterday in the Gaeltacht area of Co Donegal because, he said, he had been harassed by some of his congregation.
Fr Bill McGeady (74), who is related to Ireland soccer player Aiden McGeady, told parishioners a small number of them objected to how he ran the parish around Glencolmcille.
He left a letter at the back of the chapel for members of his congregation explaining why he was leaving.
The priest, whose family originated in Gweedore and who still has a Scots accent from his years in Scotland, said he had been delighted to serve his flock since he arrived from Falkirk to Glencolmcille in 2010.
But he added: “I have been harassed, and verbally and physically abused in the sacristy, in the church and in the street.”
The priest said people had complained about how he ran the parish to the Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Phillip Boyce. This had affected his health and he could not continue with his duties.
Fr McGeady, a Jesuit, joined the priesthood in 1997. He was not available last night for comment. The parish priest, Fr Francis McAteer, and Bishop Boyce also declined to comment.