A KILKENNY priest has been remanded for sentence next June after he pleaded guilty to buggering a male in 1993.
The priest who appeared in non-clerical dress at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitted five charges relating to sexual offences with males in the years 1989 to 1993. He was remanded on continuing bail to June 17th next.
Prosecution counsel Mr Patrick Gageby SC requested that the defendant sign on at a Carlow Garda station once a week between now and the sentence date. He said evidence would be heard on that date.
Judge Michael Moriarty said that while he didn't wish to prejudge the case the particulars suggested that a custodial sentence was highly probable. He didn't want the defendant to be under any other illusion.
Reporting restrictions on naming the defendant were imposed.
The priest pleaded guilty to buggering a male on April 9th or 10th, 1993, and to attempted rape of a male within the meaning of Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 on a date unknown in November or December 1993.
He also admitted indecently assaulting males on or about December 31st, 1989, and also on a date unknown in August 1990. He also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a male on a date in August 1991.
Judge Moriarty directed that victim impact reports drawn up by the Garda should be made available to defence counsel, Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, a fortnight before the sentence date.