Priest refused Supreme Court appeal over rape conviction

The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed a Co Donegal priest's bid to have his appeal against his conviction for raping a teenage parishioner in a church sacristy more than 20 years ago determined by the Supreme Court

The three judge Court today ruled that Fr Daniel Doherty (aged 49) Derriscleigh, Carrigart to have his appeal heard by the Supreme Court because it did not raise an important point of law of exceptional public importance.