A Priest who sexually assaulted a boy he befriended when he got to know his family was given a nine-month suspended jail sentence yesterday.
The priest, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted the assaults, which happened between January and October 1986 when the boy was in his early teens.
Yesterday, at Cork District Court, the priest apologised to his victim and his family after paying £5,000 in compensation to the man, who is now aged 28.
Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc heard that the priest had received treatment and was now considered "low risk". The judge said he would jail the priest for nine months on both counts but suspend the sentences on condition the priest continued to receive treatment and that he did not associate with adolescents.