Priest in court on indecent assault charge

A Catholic priest appeared in court in England today charged with indecent assault and facilitation of the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Father Jeremiah McGrath, 62, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates Court, following his arrest in Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

Fr McGrath, who gave his address as the Parochial House, Rosslea, Co Fermanagh, spoke only to confirm his name and address.

He is accused of indecently assaulting the girl and facilitating another person to rape her, between May and November of this year in England.

McGrath, who has relatives in the US and owns a house in Florida, was arrested on Wednesday after he went voluntarily to Enniskillen police station.

Officers searched the Parochial House.

He appeared in court today wearing a dark blue jacket and light blue shirt, flanked by two prison officers, after he was flown from Northern Ireland to Liverpool on Thursday.

Detectives in the city questioned him yesterday and he was charged last night.

No plea was entered, but his solicitor, Tony Murphy, said he will strongly deny the allegations in court.

Bail was refused and he was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.