Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Priest takes leave after indecent pictures accidentally shown in public

A priest who has been under investigation since indecent images were shown during a meeting at a primary school in Co Tyrone has taken temporary leave of absence.

Parents met representatives of the Archdiocese of Armagh in Pomeroy last Friday night to discuss their concerns after indecent images were inadvertantly shown at a local primary school three weeks ago.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Armagh said the outcome of the meeting was "inconclusive", and that a further meeting would take place in the future.

An investigation was launched after pornographic pictures were displayed during a meeting for parents who were preparing their families for First Communion at St Mary's Primary School.

A child was also in the room.

The pictures were projected onto a screen after the parish priest, Fr Martin McVeigh, put a memory stick into a computer being used for a presentation.

The priest later said he didn't know how the images had appeared.

Parishioners were told that Fr McVeigh had requested temporary leave. 

He will, however, remain as parish priest.

It is understood parents were told that no crime had been committed, and that social services had found there were no child protection issues.