TERRENCE RAFFERTY FROM NEWRY ESCAPES PRISON AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE IN ARMAGH

In a significant development in a long-standing case, the identity of a former priest from Lurgan, who was convicted of indecently assaulting a young girl in County Armagh, has now been publicly disclosed. The individual in question is Fr. Terrence Rafferty, a priest who previously served as the administrator of Newry Cathedral. His case has garnered considerable attention due to the nature of the allegations and the legal proceedings that followed.

In January 2013, Fr. Rafferty was sentenced to a total of 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to four counts of indecent assault. These charges pertain to incidents that took place in 2001, involving a teenage girl. The court records also indicate that there were five additional counts of indecent assault, which occurred between December 2000 and January 2002, but these were left unresolved and remained on the books.

Alongside the community service, the court imposed a three-year probation order on Fr. Rafferty, emphasizing the seriousness of his misconduct. The case's details were initially kept under a court ban to protect the priest’s identity; however, this restriction was lifted following a formal request from the victim, allowing the public to learn the full scope of the case. The incident, which occurred over a decade ago, has since become a focal point for discussions about safeguarding and accountability within the church.

Following his conviction, Fr. Rafferty resigned from his position as parish priest in Donaghmore. He has also been prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults for a period of ten years, a measure intended to prevent any potential future harm. The judge overseeing the case explicitly stated that Rafferty had abused the trust placed in him as a religious leader, highlighting the breach of moral and ethical responsibilities.

In response to the case, Monsignor Aidan Hamill, the vicar general of the diocese, addressed the matter publicly. He acknowledged that a betrayal of sacred trust had occurred and expressed deep regret on behalf of the church community. Monsignor Hamill offered sincere apologies to the victim and her family for the suffering endured, reaffirming the church’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people. He also noted that the case was now under internal church review, indicating ongoing efforts to address and prevent such incidents in the future.