Judge rejects character reference by parish priest

CHARACTER evidence by a local priest on behalf of a 35-year-old convicted sex offender was dismissed by presiding Judge Donagh McDonagh at the Circuit Criminal Court, in Tralee, yesterday.

The judge’s hard-hitting comments emerged at a sentencing hearing which was marked by highly emotional and unusual scenes.

As the accused, Danny Foley, sat in the dock before the judge came onto the bench, upwards of 50 people, mostly men, neighbours and friends, walked up to him in single file.