Irish priest back in US court over rape allegations

An Irish priest, who served in the diocese of Clogher is due in Court in the US today in connection with the alleged rape of a 15 tear old boy in Ireland over 40 years ago.

81 year old Fr Francis Markey, will appear in court in Indiana to determine if he will continue to be held in jail or given bail with conditions.

He was detained last Monday on foot of an extradition warrant over the alleged rape of the teenage boy during a pilgrimage to Lough Derg and again in Co Galway in 1968.

The alleged victim made the accusations in June 2006.

The priest, who was ordained in 1952, has been suspended three times.

During a hearing last Tuesday, the court heard that Irish authorities issued warrants for the priest in April and May last year and requested he be held without bail until the extradition request was resolved.