NORTHERN IRELAND
Derry Journal
Published on Friday 29 June 2012
A parish priest cleared of indecently assaulting a teenage girl in Derry two decades ago has spoken of his relief to end “the darkest two years” of his life.
On Wednesday a jury at Derry Crown Court found Fr Eugene Boland (66), of Parochial House, Killyclogher Road, Omagh not guilty by majority verdict on all five charges against him of indecent assault on a girl aged around 14 years-old. The charges related to alleged incidents in the parochial house of St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh between June 28, 1990 and June 30, 1992 where she worked as a volunteer.
There were cheers from supporters of Fr Boland as the verdict was delivered following an eight day trial and several hours of deliberation by the jury of four men and eight women.
Speaking to the ‘Journal’ yesterday, Fr Boland said it was “the first day of the rest of my life”.
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