Priest 'abuse' case jury retires

Father Jeremiah McGrath denies all of the charges

The jury in the trial of a priest accused of facilitating the rape of a 12-year-old girl has retired for the night.

Father Jeremiah McGrath, 63, allegedly gave money to William Adams, who used it to groom the girl from Liverpool.

He denies three counts of facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and one charge of sexual assault.

Mr McGrath, of Northern Ireland, told Liverpool Crown Court the cash was linked to his gambling addiction.

Members of the jury will return to the court on Friday to continue their deliberations.

They have been told that Mr McGrath, of Rosslea, County Fermanagh, knew Adams had a rape conviction in Ireland and was aware he took the Liverpool victim on frequent trips to Blackpool.

Adams, 38, a convicted sex offender originally from Belfast, has admitted raping the girl and will be sentenced at a later date.