‘Singing Priest’ Tony Walsh to be sentenced for abusing two more boys

Walsh featured in the Murphy report into clerical sex abuse

Tony Walsh (56),  Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault. Photograph:  Collins
Tony Walsh (56), Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault. Photograph: Collins

A former priest who received a 16-year prison sentence for the sexual abuse of nine boys in the 1970s and 1980s has admitted abusing two other boys.

Tony Walsh (59) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of indecent assault on January 1st and April 4th, 1979. The victims were aged 10 or 11.

Walsh, formerly of North Circular Road, Dublin, was known as the "singing priest" and featured in the 2009 Murphy report. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned sentencing until today.

Garda John Barrett told Vincent Heneghan, prosecuting, that the first victim was aged 11 when Walsh caught him eating sweets outside the church before taking Communion.

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The second victim was about 10 or 11 when Walsh abused him on Good Friday 1979. The boy knew Walsh was involved in the All Priests Show and was excit- ed to be offered a chance to travel in the priest's BMW.

Remy Farrell SC, defending, said his client apologised to his victims and had entered an early plea of guilty in both cases.