Bail for priest charged in child rape case

A Catholic priest appeared in court today charged with indecently assaulting and facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Father Jeremiah McGrath, a 62-year-old parish priest in Rosslea, County Fermanagh, allegedly committed the offences in north west England between May and November last year.

He was arrested after going voluntarily to Enniskillen Police Station in December, before being questioned and charged in Liverpool.

McGrath was due to enter pleas at Liverpool Crown Court today but the hearing was adjourned until March 27. He was given conditional bail.

McGrath, dressed in a dark suit and tie, spoke only to confirm his name and that he had understood the proceedings.

William Adams, 38, appeared in the same hearing via videolink from HMP Liverpool charged with three counts of raping a girl under 16.

Adams, who is originally from Newtownabbey, County Antrim, but was living in Blackpool, Lancs, at the time of his arrest.

He will also enter pleas on March 27, and was remanded in custody.

A provisional trial date was set for September 4.