Sligo parish priest reinstated after allegations thrown out

A parish priest in Co Sligo has been reinstated after allegations made against him were thrown out following an investigation.

Canon Niall Ahern, of Ransboro and Strandhill parish, stepped aside from his ministry in February following a claim relating to the late 1970s.

Today, he celebrated mass again where Bishop Christopher Jones of the Elphin Diocese told parishioners he has complete confidence in their priest.

Bishop Jones also said Canon Ahern, who is in his 50s, should not be tainted by the unsubstantiated allegation, which the canon had denied.