The jury have retired to consider their verdicts in the trial of a priest accused of historic sexual abuse charges against five males who were all in their early teens.
Canon Patrick McEntee (70) from Esker Road, Dromore denies sexual offences against five males who were pupils at St Michael’s College, Enniskillen where he taught.
There are four counts of indecently assaulting one complainant between 1988/89 and a single count of indecently assaulting another between 1980/81.
In addition, there are a further four counts of indecent assault against three males – two against one and single counts against the other two, allegedly between 1978 and 1987.
Dungannon Crown Court heard there were similarities in terms of Canon McEntee taking them to his private quarters.
Classical music was playing and he would have the boys sit on his knee “for a chat” and the alleged abuse would occur.
Two St Michael’s College past pupils – a former Head Boy and a senior prefect – as well as a housekeeper who looked after the priests’ quarters, spoke in support of Canon McEntee describing him as a genuine, professional and caring person.
Giving evidence on his own behalf, Canon McEntee described his shock at what was put to him when first spoken to by police.
“None of it happened,” he said, pointing to his long duration as a priest without any previous concerns.
He accepted knowing his nickname was ‘Lippy’ but disputed this was because he curled his lip when angry, adding: “Every teacher had a nickname. I don’t know why I was called that.”
Asked by prosecution counsel, Sam Magee KC, if saying he’s a priest was to portray himself to the jury as not the sort of person who would do this, he replied: “No that’s not my approach. The fact I’m a priest is irrelevant. I would hope I have a reasonably positive profile.
“So there is absolutely no reason why not one, not two but five men would tell downright lies about you?” enquired Mr Magee
Canon McEntee replied: “I agree with the downright lies. I can’t say I was universally liked, especially when you assume the job of principal.”
“Are you sure you’re not the one telling downright lies?” asked Mr Magee.
“Yes,” said Canon McEntee.
“All downright liars?”
“That word is your’s,” said Canon McEntee. “It’s not the kind of word one throws around. All I can tell you is they aren’t telling the truth. It’s downright lies.”
“Would you say that five people coming to court, swearing an oath and going in front of a jury is a pretty big lie to tell?”
“It certainly is,” said Canon McEntee. “I don’t know the reason, but it’s a very big lie.”
“You can think of no reason why they would perjure themselves and tell downright lies?”
Canon McEntee answered: “It’s not for me to speculate as to their motives.”
“You breached the trust put in you by the church,” suggested Mr Magee.
“No – you forget that thousands of boys went through the school and I’ve been in the same parish for the last 24 years,” he replied.
“What’s the relevance of that?”
Canon McEntee said: “You can draw your own conclusions. You look at the totality of a person’s life.”
“During which we all do things we regret?”
“That’s a generality, but yes,” said Canon McEntee.
“Are you saying just because of your general reputation, with thousands of children through the school over the years and because you are a priest, this jury should view you above those five men who took the same oath as you?”
Canon McEntee responded: “I think you are attempting to say that I am saying because I am a priest that the jury should judge that more favourably. I am not asking for that or expecting it. I’m saying the stories as told are completely untrue. I’ve told the truth and that’s it.”
Following a trial of just over two weeks today (Tuesday) Judge Richard Green summed up the evidence for the jury who then retired to commence deliberations.
