A retired priest has appeared in court charged with a series of historic sexual offences dating back to 1979.
Patrick Oliver Mooney, of Ashgrove Hall in Newry, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary enquiry – the legal step in elevating cases to the Crown Court.
The 78-year-old, who previously served as a parish priest in Craigavon, faces four charges relating to alleged offences committed against the same complainant over 45 years ago.
The charges include one count of common assault, one count of gross indecency with or towards a child, one count of indecent assault on a male, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The allegations stem from a period between April 30 and June 30, 1979.
The prosecution asserted there was a prima facie case to answer and District Judge Eamon King agreed.
The defence made no contrary submissions.
The case was listed for an arraignment at Newry Crown Court on September 4.
Mooney was released on continuing bail of £500.
