Former lay worker faces 75 abuse charges

A former lay worker with the Church of Ireland is to stand trial accused of sexual abuse of 10 boys between 1977 and 1990.

Patrick O’Brien, aged 76, is facing 75 counts of indecent assault at numerous locations throughout the State, including St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and he was remanded on bail after a brief court hearing yesterday.

No plea was entered and he was ordered to appear at Dublin District Court on July 28 when it is expected he will be served with a book of evidence.