An unnamed Irish priest is being investigated by police over alleged financial irregularities at two churches where he was based, including the suspected theft of up to €100,000 (around £90,000). Gardai have launched two investigations into the case, which has drawn comparisons to the TV show Father Ted.
The priest is accused of keeping collections made by visitors to the church and pocketing collections taken during mass. He is also alleged to have stolen money given for grave plots to fund a hobby. Officers suspect he grew desperate while battling an alleged gambling habit, placing large bets on horse racing, and may have used some of the funds to entertain friends.
Police investigations and allegations
Police first became aware of the issue when Church authorities raised concerns over reduced income to the churches. The first probe involved questioning over the alleged mismanagement of funds worth up to €100,000. The second case relates to a much smaller amount, around £1,000. The priest has been arrested and questioned on suspicion of theft.
He was later released without charge, and a file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide how to proceed. The priest is also suspected of a number of motoring offences and has been accused of harassing two civil servants in a separate matter, which he is understood to have denied.
Denials and next steps
It is believed the priest has strenuously denied all wrongdoing and all charges. The priest was said to have been moved from one church after financial concerns were raised, in an incident similar to the Father Ted storyline, where the character famously insisted money he was accused of embezzling was “just resting in my account”.
One source told The Sun: “A complaint was made by a superior over concerns about finances at a church and that’s when the Gardai were alerted to it. The church authority had safeguarding concerns and that’s why an investigation was undertaken. The suspicion is that he has a gambling habit and was using church funds to pay for it.” The source added: “The priest is currently involved in a dispute with a civil servant that’s been going on for quite some time. A lot of claims of harassment have been levelled against him.”
