Courts / Wicklow / Report

Priest's conviction for raping boy is upheld

Date
2018-07-31

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

Denis Nolan, a former priest aged 64, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of six counts of oral rape, defilement and sexual assault of a boy aged 10‑11 between 2005 and 2006. The boy was paid €10‑€15 for gardening work at Nolan's home and the presbytery, a sum that rose when the abuse began. Nolan, who had previously been defrocked and was serving an eight‑year sentence for a separate sexual abuse case, denied the charges. The court heard that Nolan made inappropriate remarks about puberty, encouraged the boy to view sexual material online, and progressed to fondling, oral rape and assault in the priest's bedroom, the presbytery and a car. The final rape in the presbytery caused injury requiring surgery and ongoing health problems. Nolan's appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice John Hedigan, who upheld the conviction, noting that alleged inconsistencies in the victim's evidence were within normal limits for such cases.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Priest's conviction for raping boy is upheld. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

May 15, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2005 and 2006 Incident
2018-07-31 Publication

Why: The court heard he finds it difficult to hold down a job or to function on a day-to-day basis, and that he avoids his friends and social events because he feels he "just doesn't fit in". Court evidence reported by CNI