Derry priest charged over alleged inappropriate sexual communication with child

The 58-year-old is due to appear in court on Saturday

The PSNI said the man remains in custody. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The PSNI said the man remains in custody. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A 58-year-old Catholic priest has been charged in Derry on suspicion of attempted sexual communication with a child.

The man was targeted by so-called “paedophile hunters” and video footage of them confronting him outside a hotel has been widely shared on social media.

The Catholic Church in Derry said it is aware of the incident.

“The diocese knows that a video of the incident has been posted online and we understand the PSNI have been involved. Currently the diocese has no further information.”

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A PSNI spokesperson on Friday confirmed that the man has since been charged. The priest is due to appear before a special sitting of Derry Magistrates’ Court in Dungannon on Saturday.

“As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service,” the PSNI spokesperson said.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times