Paedophile priest uncovered as author of bestseller

A PAEDOPHILE former priest with three convictions for sexual offences against at least 10 young boys has been uncovered as the author of one of North’s top-selling books during the Christmas period.

Where Donard Guards, a historical account of life around the Mourne Mountains and Newcastle, is credited as being written by Nicholas Russell.

However, media accounts in the North claim that name is a pseudonym for Daniel Curran, a former priest given three separate jail sentences for repeated abuse of boys over a number of years.

The first sentence, seven years, was imposed in 1995 when Curran was convicted of a litany of offences against nine boys. Among the allegations were attempted buggery, indecent assault and gross indecency.

Then in 2005, he was given an 18-month suspended sentence in 2005 for indecently assaulting a 10th boy while he was a scout chaplain.

In 2006 Curran was given a further 14-month sentence after admitting five counts of indecent assault between 1977 and 1982.

Fifteen other counts of indecent assault against the same victim, who is now in his 40s, were left on the books.

At that trial the court was told Curran formed a relationship with his victim’s mother and “used this relationship” to come to the house regularly.

It emerged Curran would drink with members of the family then stay in the house overnight and that is when the abuse began.

It has now been claimed in the Belfast Telegraph that Curran is the author of the historical book, which was sold in parish offices and bookshops across the North. It cost £27 in hardback version and £18 for paperback.

No one involved in the book, including Curran, will comment on whether he is the author, though he has admitted he published the work and the book’s designer confirmed that Nicholas Russell was a pseudonym.