Judge scuppers Brazil apology for indecency case priest

The controversial Irish ex-priest who leapt on the race leader in the Olympic men’s marathon said today he still hopes to travel to Brazil to apologise to the runner after his plans were scuppered by a judge.

Fr Neil Horan, 57, who will stand trial next month accused of two charges of indecency with a child, said he wanted to do an Irish dance for Vanderlei de Lima in the same flamboyant outfit he wore to stage the Athens stunt, and hug and kiss the athlete.

After a hearing at London’s Woolwich Crown Court he said he had been set to fly out tonight for the trip, during which he had also planned to apologise to the Brazilian Olympic Committee.

It was hoped the meetings could be televised, but Horan was forced to put his plans on hold after Judge Michael Carroll imposed new bail conditions which prevent him leaving the UK.

Horan may not leave the south-east London postal district before the trial and must report to Peckham police station daily between 6pm and 8pm.

He may only travel to his solicitor’s office in central London by appointment and carrying a letter proving such an arrangement had been made.

Horan was given a one-year suspended sentence by a Greek court after attacking de Lima in Sunday’s marathon.

The former priest, who says he is highlighting the “second coming of Christ”, pushed the runner into the crowd after leaping out on him, leaving him only able to finish in third place.

Horan, also known as Cornelius, later pledged never to pull off a similar prank again.

The priest, originally from Kerry, wore dark trousers and a striped, short-sleeved shirt for the court hearing – a more sober outfit than the green beret, red kilt and knee-high green socks he wore for his marathon stunt.

Afterwards he said: “I fully intend to go to Brazil to personally apologise to De Lima and hug and kiss him because I do feel a deep hurt within me at what I did to him, depriving him of the gold medal.

“I still hope to do it when the trial is over.”

He added: “I want to dance for him in the same costume I wore for the marathon. I hope it will be quite appropriate.

“I sincerely hope that he will appreciate it.”

Horan said he had not meant to knock or physically grab de Lima but merely to stand in front of him so TV cameras would see his posters.

He said: “The fact that I had to use this tiny athlete who was so small means that I have a deep hurt within me.

“I feel absolutely dreadful about this.”

Horan said he wanted the International Olympic Committee to create a special gold medal for De Lima.

“When Christ comes to reign as king in Jerusalem I hope he gives him a special prize to make up for the medal which I took from him,” he added.

He repeated his pledge that he would never again break the law or disrupt any political or sporting events, and admitted the stunt had caused “a certain amount” of bad publicity for the Bible.

The indecency offences are alleged to have taken place between September 1990 and April 1993.

Horan’s trial, originally arranged for later this month, was moved to October 25 because a witness was unavailable for the earlier date.

Horan denies the charges.