The Catholic priest who projected gay porn images during a First Communion meeting has admitted that he has destroyed the memory stick after the images were flashed onto a screen during a communion meeting at a primary school last month.
He has also apologized unreservedly.
Tyrone based Fr Martin McVeigh has again claimed that the images on the memory stick had nothing to do with him.
The priest issued a statement on Sunday in which he said he wanted to assure parishioners in Pomeroy that he was not responsible for the presence of the offending images in his PowerPoint presentation.
“The memory of this awful episode will remain with me always,” he said.
“I deeply regret my failure to check, in advance, my presentation I had no knowledge of any offending imagery existing in it.
“After the images were inadvertently shown, I immediately removed the memory stick from the laptop. In my shock and upset and in my concern to ensure that the images would never be shown again, I destroyed it later that evening.”
The priest added: “I appreciate that the incident was very serious in nature and caused much anxiety and distress, particularly to those who were present on the evening in question and I apologise unreservedly for the hurt caused.
“I want to assure you, however, that I was not responsible for the presence of the offending images and in this respect I ask you to accept my innocence.”
Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Seán Brady has confirmed that he has accepted Fr McVeigh’s request to take sabbatical leave on the understanding that he returns to the parish on its completion.
Cardinal Brady also revealed said the diocese would now work to ensure that procedures and policies were put in place for the proper monitoring and use of computers in parishes.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.KatieMurphy | May 21, 2012, 04:36 AM EDT
Dont worry the catholic church of the endless hidden molestation of children will do with him what they did with so many other priests - move him to where he isnt recognized....................... I knew they did the priest moving biz to keep the collection plates filled. But only recently did I learn, tks to IC, that they moved vile priests from country to country also. Beware of the church everywhere and anywhere.............. is is any surprise that per Irish Times 73% of the most catholic country in the world supports changing the constittuion to allow gay marriage.
Collette2 | May 03, 2012, 02:20 AM EDT
Amazing the heartfelt apologies that follow being caught. It's the clerical swansong.
Searlit | May 01, 2012, 03:51 PM EDT
Keep him away from children!
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
pilib04, you in the US don't even know we're two separate countries. You're delusional.
Christopher1978 | Apr 30, 2012, 10:30 PM EDT
He may not have done it. We cannot assume he did. There will, however, always be the question now, regardless. That is, unless the actual perpetrator is found (assuming it was not Father).
pilib04 | Apr 30, 2012, 08:12 PM EDT
Bythebay, taking a little nip of the juice? Do you ever sober up?
pilib04 | Apr 30, 2012, 08:11 PM EDT
This priest should not be allowed to be involved with children. Sorry, NO WAY, NO HOW!
JBRAFTREE | Apr 30, 2012, 05:44 PM EDT
I evidently can't get my comments posted, Don't know why?
SingleDonald | Apr 30, 2012, 01:01 PM EDT
Say what you will, about Father Martin McVeigh. I know that (God forbid!) images from Playboy showed on a presentation I was giving, I would act squeamish, and later delete the photos! Of course, having this example set, I would, if time permitted, review the entire video presentation, before showing it.
rainbowbrew | Apr 30, 2012, 12:47 PM EDT
It is really tough nowadays to trust a priest in what he says. So this priest ought to tell us how it happenned as he does not say he does not know how it happenned. Maybe the person already confessed so we will never know who would do this to people.
PhlutiePhan | Apr 30, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT
Bizarre story with plenty of lies. His picture itself has a look of deceit. The Irish Church appears filled with deceit.
Bythebay | Apr 30, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT
He's Northern Ireland, not Ireland. Don't ascribe him to Ireland.