Priest will not say Mass after remarks

A PRIEST who described the Revenue Commissioners as “the biggest shower of b******s on the planet” after settling a near €500,000 debt will not say Mass in his parish this Sunday.

Fr Tadhg O’Donovan from Whitechurch in Co Cork was ordered to transfer €187,447 in unpaid taxes and €246,029 in penalties and interest after failing to supply accurate income tax returns and rental income statements.

A statement from the Cloyne Diocesan Centre simply confirmed that Archbishop Diarmuid Clifford had met the priest to discuss matters reported in the media earlier this week.

However, Fr Jim Killeen, of the Cloyne Diocesan Centre, confirmed that Fr O’Donovan would not be saying Mass this weekend but refused to comment further on whether Fr O’Donovan will face further sanctions.

The priest caused controversy earlier this week speaking after the huge payment relating to property income between 1998 and 2002 emerged, when he verbally attacked the Revenue Commissioners.

In a foul-mouthed tirade, the priest claimed they were “the biggest shower of b******s on the planet”, were an “almighty shower of c***s” and had “blood on their hands” due to their

approach to people.

After what was described as a “pre-scheduled meeting” on local matters on Thursday morning, both Fr O’Donovan and the Diocese of Cloyne issued statements apologising for the insulting remarks.

However, Fr O’Donovan was ordered to attend the meeting with Archbishop Dermot Clifford yesterday to explain how the huge debt occurred and whether he has a future in the diocese.

Fr O’Donovan was fined €6,000 in March 2008 by Cork District Court after being found guilty on 10 charges relating to his tax affairs.