A well-known Irish priest who worked as a missionary in Peru has pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl four years ago. Conor Lally reports.
Father Christopher Conroy, Rocky Road, Wicklow, appeared before Judge Joseph Mathews at Wicklow Circuit Court yesterday.
He is charged with two counts of sexual assault contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape Amendment) Act, 1990. The two incidents are alleged to have taken place between May 1st and September 28th, 2000, at Glen of the Downs, Co Wicklow.
The alleged victim is now 18, but cannot be named because she was a minor at the time of the alleged incidents. She is from Wicklow town and is known to Father Conroy. The trial is due to begin this morning at Wicklow Circuit Court before Judge Patrick McCartan, after a jury was sworn in yesterday.