Defamed priest accepts damages from RTE after false rape claim

The parish priest of Ahascaragh in Co Galway has accepted undisclosed damages from RTE after the broadcaster admitted "grossly defaming him".

A Prime Time Investigates programme aired in May of this year falsely claimed that Mill Hill missionary Fr Kevin Reynolds had raped a minor, fathered her child and then abandoned her.

RTE apologised in the High Court today.

Fr Sean McDonagh of the Association of Catholic Priests said outside court that Fr Reynolds had been "totally and absolutely vindicated…We're delighted for him. It's his day."