Irish priest jailed in UK for financing child rapist

A Fermanagh priest who financed the grooming of a young girl for sex was jailed for five years in the UK today.

Father Jeremiah McGrath, 64, gave more than £20,000 (€29,600) to his friend, convicted child rapist Billy Adams, who used the cash to shower a 12-year-old with treats and gifts.

Having bought her silence and trust, 38-year-old Adams, originally from Belfast but latterly of Bootle, Merseyside, raped her repeatedly over a six-month period in 2005.

During a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, McGrath, from Rosslea, Co Fermanagh insisted he had no idea that Adams was abusing the girl and claimed the money was linked to his gambling habit.

Today, McGrath was jailed at the same court for five years and ordered to pay £5,000 (€7,400) in costs.

Adams was sentenced to life and ordered to serve a minimum term of seven and a half years before he is considered for release.