Priest arrested over alleged theft of €600k

Gardaí are preparing a file for the State prosecutor in connection with a priest who allegedly stole almost €600,000 from his religious order and parishioners.

The middle-aged priest was arrested on Wednesday and questioned by a team of detectives tasked with investigating the matter over the last six months, before being later released.

The priest is alleged to have taken regular holidays abroad, staying in luxurious hotels, as well as dining out in expensive restaurants here. The alleged fraud is believed to have gone on for almost 13 years.