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Former "singing priest" jailed for raping boy with crucifix
Summary
Tony Walsh, a former priest aged 62, was sentenced by Judge Elma Sheahan to seven and a half years' imprisonment for raping a boy three times, including once with a crucifix. The offences, committed between 1980 and 1982 when the maximum penalty was two years, were treated as indecent assault under the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment 1990, which allows up to 14 years for sexual assault of a child under 17. Walsh pleaded not guilty to five counts of indecent assault but was found guilty on all counts. The judge imposed consecutive sentences: two years for the rape, 15 months for the remaining indecent assault charges, and an additional 15 months for the other two charges, with the total term reduced by one year for prior convictions. Walsh's sentence is back‑dated to his conviction last month, making him eligible for release in June 2023.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former "singing priest" jailed for raping boy with crucifix. Charges or matters: five counts of indecently assaulting the boy on dates between January 1980 and December 1982; the other offences; offences involving five boys in the period 1980 to 1986; two more cases. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 1980 Incident
- December 1982 Incident
- June 2023 Other
- April 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1995 to 2015 Other
- 1980 to 1986 Incident
- 2016-07-19 Publication
Why: Asked why he pleaded, Walsh replied "because I was guilty". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: five counts of indecently assaulting the boy on dates between January 1980 and December 1982; the other offences; offences involving five boys in the period 1980 to 1986; two more cases (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Credit: Collins) Former "singing priest" Tony Walsh has been jailed for seven and a half years for raping a boy three times, once with a crucifix. He suggested to Judge Sheahan that there was a likelihood that the judge would have imposed a concurrent term and not extended Walsh's term of imprisonment if this happened.; Judge Sheahan had adjourned the case having heard evidence.
Places mentioned
- Phoenix Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- North Circular Road
- Dublin
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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