The Donegal priest charged with indecently assaulting a 14 year old girl said he couldn’t have got through his trial without his golfing buddies.
Moville priest Fr Eugene Boland was charged with five counts of indecent assault against the girl between 1990 and 1992.
However he was found not guilty of all charges at Derry Crown Court yesterday.
Fr Boland, from Moville, told the Shaun Doherty Show on Highland Radio how his golfing friends carried out a rota to support him during his eight day trial.
“Everyone who knows me knows I love playing golf and I play every Tuesday.
“So many people have supported me through this trial but I could not have got through it without my golfing friends.
“I play golf with 12 priest friends and they took it upon themselves to form a rota so some of them could be there every day during the trial.
“That was an immense source of support for me as was everyone else who helped me through this nightmare,” he said.
Fr Boland, who has been a priest for 42 years, said he was “floating on air” when found not guilty of the charges.
Speaking for the first time since being acquitted of the charges, Fr Boland said he never thought the case would ever come to court.
“One never knows what type of allegation can be made. You are only a phonecall away from an allegation. When I heard what the allegation was I didn’t think it would go forward but other people thought otherwise.
“Sadly some of my colleagues have committed horrendous crimes in the past against young people and they have shamed the whole church. Some have been tarred along with this by some because they have a collar,” he said.
Despite being forced to stand down from his ministry during his ordeal, Fr Boland says he actually prayed for the young girl who brought the allegations against him.
The assault claims were alleged to have taken place at the Parochial House of St Joseph’s in Galliagh, Derry where he was then based.
Fr Boland said he found it very difficult having to pack a bag in case he was found guilty and remanded to go to jail.
Of his accuser Fr Boland said “I said prayers for the person and I hold no revenge in my mind because that would only hold me down.”
He also said he hoped two people who have been ordered to appear before the courts for cheering and clapping after the verdict was read out, will be dealt with sympathetically.
“I thought his (Judge Stephen Fowler) reaction was a little excessive. He was very fair but I thought he might have let it go. I hope they get juts a wrap on the knuckles,” he said.
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