Serial paedophile given suspended term for abuse

A former priest and serial child abuser got a three-year suspended sentence for molesting a 14-year-old altar boy 30 years ago.

Patrick Maguire, 77, who is living under a strict regime with the Columban Fathers in Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the boy between Jan 1, 1983 and Dec 31, 1984.

The court heard the abuse came to an end when Maguire visited the victim’s mother and enquired as to the age of her son.