A former Cork priest who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an altar boy in the sacristy of the church and parochial house 15 years ago has been jailed for eight months.
Patrick Crowley (52), of Cardington, Athy, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court today to three counts of sexually assaulting the boy on three occasions between September 1st 1988 and June 30th 1989.
Det Garda Donal O'Connell told the court that the incidences of abuse took place while the boy was 10 and 11-years-of-age and a serving altar boy at the defendant's church.
The now 26-year-old victim told Judge Dave O'Riordain that his life could not have been anymore low over the past 10 years. He had been forced to undergo drink and drug rehabilitation during that period.
The former priest, who was convicted of a similar offence in 1991 and brought to the attention of Gardai in 1994 for propositioning a young male for sex, expressed his remorse to the court.
"I think it is horrifically sad and I regret it so deeply. I wish to God I could turn back the clock, saying sorry is so meaningless to him. I'm helpless," Mr Crowley said.
His defence solicitor, Mr Joe Cuddigan, said that his client sought help over the past decade for his problems and twice entered a treatment centre for psychosexual addictions in England.
He said Mr Crowley was now residing voluntarily in a treatment centre in Ireland.