‘I call upon Almighty God to strike me dead if I did such a thing’

A Catholic priest broke down yesterday after calling on God to “strike me dead” if he was lying about an allegation that he molested a child.

Father Neil Horan called on everyone in the Old Bailey courtroom to witness his plea. He then broke down and wept uncontrollably. The court was adjourned while he composed himself.

Horan, aged 57, who is originally from Kerry, but now lives in Nunhead, South London, denies a charge of gross indecency with a seven-year-old child in 1991 when he was assistant priest at St Anthony’s Church, Penge, London.