A priest told a child sex abuse trial in Derry yesterday that he had informed the PSNI of the abuse allegations made against a fellow priest in the Derry diocese.
Fr John Farren, PP of Iskaheen, Muff, Co Donegal, said that in referring the allegations to the police, he was following the protocol laid down by the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Fr Patrick Joseph Crilly (63), of Tobermore Road, Desertmartin, Co Derry, denies four charges of indecently assaulting a schoolgirl in the Derry diocesan pastoral centre between September 1977 and November 1980. The complainant, who is now a 45-year-old separated mother of two, had earlier told the jury that the alleged abuse had taken place when she'd gone to Fr Crilly for counselling about becoming a nun. At the time of the alleged abuse, the defendant was the diocesan director of vocations.
Fr Farren told the jury of six men and six women that he was appointed the diocesan delegate six years ago. His responsibilities were to process allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the Derry diocese. He said the complainant was referred to him by another priest. He first met her on November 3rd, 2005.
Barrister Brian McCartney, defending, accused the complainant of making a fantasy of allegations against Fr Crilly.
The trial continues on Monday.