A SIXTY-TWO year old priest, Fr Jeremiah McGrath, who preached regularly in Maherarney Chapel in Smithboro, faces charges of indecent assault and three counts of facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Fr McGrath, from Roslea, County Fermanagh, has denied the charges.

Currently suspended from carrying out his parochial duties, the priest will stand trial along with a 38 year old man from Belfast, Billy Adams, who is accused of several rapes and a number of other offences. Father Jeremiah McGrath allegedly gave money to Mr Adams who used it to buy gifts for the young girl he had befriended in Liverpool.

Andrew Menary QC, prosecuting, said the priest knew Adams had a previous conviction for the rape of an eight-year-old girl, and often visited him in jail. He told the jury that Fr McGrath also knew about Adams’ friendship with the Liverpool girl.

The treats lavished on the girl included a three-week holiday in Blackpool. The prosecution’s allegation is that most, if not all of the money, came from Fr McGrath. The prosecution has also alleged that the priest was aware that Mr Adams was abusing the girl. Fr McGrath also faces one charge of assault over a claim he touched the girl in a sexual manner while giving her a lift. Mr Menary also claimed there was evidence of a sexual relationship between the two men, who met about 20 years ago in Ireland.

In police interviews, Fr McGrath denied any impropriety in relation to the girl but accepted the Roman Catholic Church would not approve of certain elements of his relationship with Adams, the court heard.

Mr Menary added: “It seems Jeremiah McGrath would indulge all of William Adams’ desires, including funding his interest in young girls, in order to keep Adams happy.”

The jury was shown a lengthy interview via video with the girl, who described how Adams regularly abused her.

The two men were arrested in December 2005. In April last year, Adams pleaded guilty to raping the girl in Blackpool during July and August 2005, but denied 11 other counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, all relating to the same girl, between May and November 2005.

The trial at Liverpool Crown Court, which was adjourned last Tuesday, is expected to last until May 25.