Man who accused priest of sex abuse has sentence reduced

The Court of Criminal Appeal has reduced by 12 months the four-year prison sentenced imposed on a Dublin man who falsely accusing a priest of child sexual abuse.

The CCA reduced the sentence initially imposed on Paul Anderson (aged 34) after finding that it did not take fully into consideration factors including that he suffered from a number of medical problems, and that it was his first offence.

Anderson of Crumlin Park, Crumlin, and formerly of Fatima Mansions and Iveagh Trust Flats, New Bride Street, Dublin was convicted last June after a 17-day trial of making the false claim.

He was jailed for four years by Judge Patricia Ryan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Anderson had denied making a false accusations to a Detective Garda at Kevin Street garda station on June 18, 2003 that acts of indecent assault and buggery were committed on him by the priest between February and May 1981.

Today, the three-judge CCA, with Mr Justice Nial Fennelly, presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Brian McGovern and Mr Justice George Birmingham, reduced Anderson's four-year prison sentence to three years following an appeal against the severity of the four-year sentence.

The court had previously rejected Anderson's appeal against his conviction.