A RETIRED priest was yesterday remanded on bail after he was charged with two counts of indecently assaulting two teenage girls while a priest in north Cork in the diocese of Cloyne some 30 years ago.
Fr Dan Duane (72), with an address at the Presbytery, Cecilstown, Mallow, was brought before the scheduled sitting of Mallow District Court yesterday where he was charged with indecently assaulting two teenage girls in Mallow between 1980 and 1983.
Det Garda Colman Murphy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told the court he arrested Fr Duane at Bowling Green in Mallow at 9.05am yesterday. When he put the two charges to Fr Duane after caution, he replied “No” to both.
Garda Insp Senan Ryan said gardaí had no objection to bail as Fr Duane, although he had not been aware charges were “coming down the track”, had been aware for some time of the Garda investigation and had remained in north Cork throughout their inquiries.
Gardaí were seeking a short adjournment as the book of evidence in the case was “practically ready”, Insp Ryan added, suggesting a remand until March 8th to allow for its completion.
Kieran McCarthy, defending, said his client was due to go into hospital later yesterday for a hip replacement operation. He asked for a longer adjournment to allow him to recuperate so he could attend the next hearing.
Judge Michael Pattwell agreed and suggested a remand until April 5th.
Mr McCarthy said his client had no objection to such a remand, whereupon the judge remanded Fr Duane on his own bail of €500 to appear at Mallow District Court again on that date.
