Priest Acquitted in Indecent Assault Case

RTE News
June 27, 2012

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0627/derry-court.html

Eugene Boland, right, said he looked forward to resuming parish duties

[with video]

Father Eugene Boland, 66, has been found not guilty of five charges of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl over 20 years ago.

Fr Eugene Boland, Parochial House, Killyclogher Road, Omagh had denied committing the charges in the parochial house and at St Joseph's Church, Galliagh, Co Derry between 1990 and 1992.

After four hours of deliberations by the Jury yesterday and today, Fr Boland was found not guilty of the five charges that he inappropriately touched the complainant between June 1990 and June 1992.

Following the acquittal Fr Boland said he looked forward to resuming his ministry in his parish.

He had been ordered to stand down when the allegations were first made against him 26 months ago.

A spokesman for the diocese of Derry has said it will be submitting evidence to the Vatican.

The Vatican will then be able to decide on the reinstatement to ministry of the Co Tyrone-based Parish Priest.

The diocesan spokesman, Fr Michael Canny told RTÉ News that its church lawyers would be recommending that there were no outstanding issues relating to the allegations.

He said the diocese would be submitting evidence to the Vatican as soon as possible to enable it to decide on Fr Boland's reinstatement.

Earlier the Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Eamon Martin, said that the acquittal brought great relief to many people.

Monsignor Martin said that the whole process has been very difficult for everyone involved.

He added that the diocese is seeking to reach out to anyone affected by this case.