IRELAND
Irish Independent

Niall O’Connor– 23 February 2013

A MAN has told how an abusive priest, who was also a family friend, robbed him of his childhood.

Fr Vincent Mercer (66), of Black Abbott, Kilkenny, had caused him “mental pain and torture” and a “living nightmare” which had lasted over 20 years, the victim told Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

“As a young child I was very happy but sadly in 1986 at the tender age of 11 my life changed,” he said.

“I was robbed of my childhood – I was abused by a very close family friend, by a Dominican priest Fr Vincent Mercer.

“For over 20 years I have suffered mental pain and torture that Fr Mercer imposed upon me.”