Priest risks defrocking if he continues celebrating Mass

THE priest at the centre of a major AIDS scare controversy in Dungarvan a decade ago is at risk of being defrocked by the Catholic Church authorities if he continues to celebrate Mass.

Offaly-born Fr Michael Kennedy, parish priest of Dunhill in the diocese of Waterford and Lismore, was suspended from the ministry following allegations against him in 2003.

Since then the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that he would not be proceeding with any charges against Fr Kennedy, but church authorities have continued an internal investigation into the allegations.