Man charged with making false abuse allegations bailed

by  Nicola Anderson - Irish Independent

A MAN who stands accused of making false allegations of indecent assault and buggery against a priest has been remanded on bail at Kilmainham Court.

It marks the first time that such a case has come before the courts.

Paul Anderson (30), of Ivy Trust House, New Bride Street, Dublin 8, was arrested on foot of a bench warrant yesterday morning at a house in Crumlin Park and charged under Section 12 of the 1976 Criminal Law Act.

It is understood that the claims, made in June 2003 relate to alleged incidents from February to May 1981.

The investigation was led by Det Sergeant Martin Mooney of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations and a file was sent to the DPP. Mr Anderson could face five years in prison if found guilty. He was remanded on his own bail of €500.

The DPP has already decided that the case will be heard at the Circuit Court. Mr Anderson will next appear at Kilmainham District Court on October 7, when the book of evidence will be served.

There was no objection to legal aid as the court heard the man is currently in receipt of disability benefits.

Allegations of sexual abuse were made last year against Fr John Wall of Clondalkin but following a Garda investigation, no further action was taken.

Fr Wall was reinstated in his job as parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clondalkin, having been immediately asked by the diocese to stand aside following the allegations. The Church's guidelines for dealing with allegations of child abuse, in place since 1996, allow bishops and religious superiors to exercise their discretion when deciding whether an accused cleric should step down from his ministry.

In practice, almost all clerics in this situation are asked to stand aside.

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