TWO members of a Catholic religious order denied 41 charges of sexually abusing young boys when they appeared in court in Downpatrick yesterday.
Brother Joseph Scally (61) and Brother Thomas Tierney (74) pleaded not guilty to the charges at Downpatrick Crown Court.
The two, who are members of the De La Salle Order, are alleged to have committed the offences between 1961 and 1980 at the former De La Salle Boys Home at Rubane, near Kircubbin, Co Down, and in north Antrim and west Belfast.
Brother Joseph faces eighth charges of buggery and 18 of indecent assault against 10 boys, while Brother Thomas denies eight counts of buggery and seven of indecent assault against three boys.
Judge Anthony Hart granted an application to adjourn the case until the next Crown Court sitting.
The two men were released on their own bail to appear in court in Downpatrick again on March 21st.