An Irish-born Catholic priest who has admitted having a sexual relationship with a murder victim was yesterday accused of knowing where her body was when police were investigating her disappearance.
But Fr Gerry Nugent, who was born in Dublin and ordained in Scotland in 1967, insisted to the High Court in Edinburgh: "I don't know anything about the death."
Fr Nugent (63) was giving evidence for a fourth day at the trial of Peter Tobin (60), who is accused of raping and murdering Angelika Kluk (23) and hiding her body under the floor of Glasgow's St Patrick's Church in September last. He denies all charges.
Ms Kluk's body was found on September 29th under the chapel floor near the confession box.
Jurors heard yesterday that Fr Nugent and others linked to the church were told to vacate the building that night following a "significant development" by officers.
During cross-questioning yesterday, Fr Nugent initially told the court he could not recollect any discussion among the gathering about a body having been found. However, he later admitted that it was "true" there had been talk about a body in the church. He said he was drunk that night after having "over-indulged".
Mr Tobin's defence counsel, Donald Findlay QC, put it to him that that there was discussion in the household about the location of the girl's body. The lawyer said the reason there was such talk was because "someone in that house knew where the body was. That was you, wasn't it?" Mr Findlay asked.
Fr Nugent replied: "I don't know anything about the death or the circumstances of Angelika."
Mr Findlay also asked the priest whether he accepted that he told another man, in the week Ms Kluk was missing, that he "no longer gave a damn" about her. Fr Nugent responded: "My only explanation is that I may have been drinking." He has admitted being an alcoholic.
"It wouldn't be that you didn't give a damn because you knew she was dead?" Mr Findlay said. - (PA)