Irish priest cleared of historical abuse allegations

An Irish Catholic priest has been cleared by a jury in England of historical allegations that he sexually abused nine girls and one boy.

Limerick native Fr Mortimer Stanley (82), now living in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, had denied a string of indecent assaults said to have been committed in Rochdale between 1977 and 2002.

The Crown alleged the priest had targeted most of the complainants, all of whom were aged under 11 at the time, in his presbytery at St Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church in Norden, when he would sit them on his knee.

Fr Stanley said children would often climb on his knee of their own accord but nothing inappropriate ever happened.

He dismissed the claims from the male complainant that he was abused after “something like chloroform” was put over his mouth as “totally untrue”.

Fr Stanley retired from the priesthood in 2002 and returned to Ireland.

Indecent assault

Jurors at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court were unable to reach a verdict on one count of indecent assault, but prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh said the Crown would not seek a retrial.

A not guilty verdict was recorded by Judge John Potter in respect of that count and also another count involving a 10th female complainant who was too unwell to give evidence during the trial.

Press Association