Former town priest avoids prison sentence

Fr Terence Rafferty makes his way to Craigavon courthouse on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a schoolgirl and was given probation and community service Pic Pacemaker

Published on 01/02/2013 12:50

A FORMER town priest has been sentenced to 100 hours community service for indecently assaulting a teenage girl.

Father Terrence Rafferty, of Chestnut Grove, Newry, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault.

The priest was also given a three-year probation order.

The details of the case were only released after a court ban protecting the priest’s identity was lifted.

This followed a request from the victim. The incident happened more than a decade ago.

Fr Rafferty, who had also been parish priest in Donaghmore, has been banned from working with children or vulnerable adults for 10 years.

The judge told him he had abused the position of trust he had enjoyed as a priest.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY SEE NEXT WEEK’S LURGAN MAIL - OUT THURSDAY

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Former town priest avoids prison sentence

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