IRELAND
RTE News
A former Catholic priest, who confessed to sexually assaulting two altar boys in the sacristy of a Co Cork church over 20 years ago, has been imprisoned for 12 months.
Patrick Crowley, 62, with an address at Cuan Mhuire, Athy, Co Kildare, admitted sexually assaulting one boy on six occasions and the second boy on three occasions on dates between September 1989 and June 1990.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told the abuse took place after morning mass.
One victim described what happened to him as his “dirty secret.”
He said it changed him from a happy go-lucky, carefree boy, to a cagey, secretive one.
He recalled his gut wrenching fear and anxiety and said he felt he was being preyed upon and actively hunted.
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