AHASCRAGH PRIEST'S LIBEL CASE TO GO TO TRIAL

Date Published: 07-Oct-2011

A trial date is expected to be set next week for the libel action by a Galway priest against RTÉ.

In a Primetime Investigates programme broadcast last May, it was claimed that Fr. Kevin Reynolds of Ahascragh raped an underage girl in Kenya in 1982 and fathered her child.

RTÉ says the alleged victim and her daughter were interviewed for the programme to corroborate the allegations against Fr. Reynolds.

The priest consistently protested his innocence and even agreed to a paternity test.

As a result of the allegations he was obliged to stand down from his ministry.

RTÉ says it now accepts that the allegations broadcast by Primetime against Fr. Reynolds are baseless, without foundation and untrue.

The broadcaster has publicly apologised to the priest stating that he had an unblemished 40 year career in the priesthood.

Fr. Reynolds' lawyer, Robert Dore, says the unfounded allegations have devastated his client.