NORTHERN IRELAND
Irish News

Brendan Hughes
01 March, 2016

THE PSNI is making inquiries about video footage of a Catholic priest apparently snorting cocaine in a room with Nazi memorabilia at his Co Down parochial house.

Fr Stephen Crossan can be seen sniffing a white substance through a bank note during a night of drinking at the house beside St Patrick’s Church, Banbridge.

The 37-year-old places a cigarette in an ashtray and seems to say “I shouldn’t” before snorting the powder off a plate, The Sun on Sunday reported.

In a statement yesterday, Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey said Fr Crossan has taken an “extended leave of absence”.