A FORMER secretary to the retired Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly, went on trial in Armagh Crown Court yesterday accused of sexually abusing two altar boys more than 20 years ago.
When the hearing resumes this morning the first alleged victim, now 30, and a civil servant, will begin giving evidence.
Before court is Father Edward Kilpatrick (53), parish priest of Murlough in Co Donegal.
A native of Bellaghy in Co Derry, he denies 19 charges of gross indecency and indecent assault.
The offences are alleged to have taken place over a six year period, between March 1975 and August 1981 when he was curate in Steelestown parish in Derry city.
The allegations centre on Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Steelestown and the Parochial House attached to St Eugene's Cathedral.
Opening the prosecution case, Mr Terence Mooney QC, alleged the priest had used his office to "seduce the boys for his own sexual gratification.
He said: "He secured their silence for years, pitting his reputation, standing" authority and respect his holy office against them."
Mr Mooney described both alleged victims as having been badly scarred by the events. He claimed the accused had manipulated events and circumstances which gave rise to the activities alleged.
Judge Tom Burgess heard that the priest was interviewed about the allegations in June and October 1995. He had vehemently denied that such activities had taken place.
Mr Mooney went on: "He claimed they were a sign of the times and that perhaps his accusers were wanting to cash in on allegations being made against clergy with alarming frequency.
"Revenge was not the motive for the allegations," said Mr Mooney.
He claimed the men wanted justice and recognition of what had happened to them.
Mr Mooney stressed that neither of the men had known each, other.