Claims over priest lead to move

Dr Hegarty told parishioners their parish priest had left

Catholic priest Fr Pat Crilly has left his post while claims of child sex abuse against him are investigated, the Bishop of Derry has said.

Dr Seamus Hegarty broke the news to Fr Crilly's parishioners at Mass in Desertmartin on Sunday.

He said Fr Crilly had denied the claims but asked for leave of absence while police carried out an investigation.

The bishop last week said allegations of sex abuse had been made against 26 priests in the diocese over 50 years.