McGrath will go to prison after guilty verdict

Jeremiah McGrath, the former parish priest of Roslea had a 'face like thunder' as he sat in the dock in Liverpool Crown Court and heard a jury convict him of one count of facilitating a child sex offence.

A judge told 63-year-old McGrath that a custodial sentence is inevitable.

The jury at Liverpool Crown Court, who found him guilty by a majority of ten to two, cleared him of another similar offence of arranging or facilitating William Adams to commit a child sex offence.

Following almost 11 hours' deliberations, the jury of seven men and five women were unable to agree verdicts on a third similar charge and another alleged offence of sexually assaulting the girl.

After the forewoman revealed they would not be able to agree, even if given more time, the jury were discharged.

McGrath, who has been on bail throughout the nine day trial, was remanded in custody until this Friday when a decision will be announced about whether he is face a re-trial on those two outstanding charges.

His barrister, Trevor Parry-Jones, defending McGrath, applied for continuing bail for his client who has been on bail, living at a secret address with a religious order.

But, Judge Brian Lewis stated: "This is a man of considerable means who has apparently got accommodation in the United States.

"He has, on his own admission, financed flights from the jurisdiction of the Irish courts for Adams which indicates a less than conscientious attitude towards matters.

"He has been convicted of a serious offence in relation to the abuse of a child. I don't want him out in the community. I have fears about him surrendering because of his conduct in relation to Adams. It was reprehensible and indicates an irresponsible attitude to these matters," said Judge Lewis.

McGrath, who was dressed in his clerical garb, including collar, was led to the cells. The court heard that he was no longer residing at The Parochial House, Church Road, Roslea..

During the trial, he admitted having given Adams money so he could travel from Southern Ireland to Scotland, Adams having been accused of raping an eight-year-old girl. Adams was later convicted and jailed for 12 years, during which time McGrath, regularly visited and corresponded with him.

McGrath admitted having had a homosexual relationship with Adams, but he denied knowing that he was repeatedly raping and sexually abusing the 12-year-old.

40-year-old Adams, formerly of Meadow Hey, Bootle, Liverpool, admitted repeatedly raping and sexually molesting the girl when she was 11 and 12.

A provisional sentencing date for both Adams and McGrath has been fixed for June 14.

During the trial, the jury heard that Adams groomed the youngster after moving to the Liverpool area following his release from jail.

The court also heard McGrath gave Adams thousands of pounds, enabling him to lavish treats, clothes and holidays on the child. McGrath joined him on holiday with the girl, her mother and brother in Blackpool in the Summer of 2005.

Adams, the Court was told, pretended they were all members of a family called 'Adamson' and that he was the child's father and McGrath was his uncle. McGrath went along with that and, at a later stage, he misled the girl's family over Adams's convictions, which also includes abusing a 13-year-old girl.

McGrath told the jury that he was so besotted with Adams that he was blind to what was happening. He first met Adams when Adams was 21 and living at a hostel for the homeless in Dublin. He admitted that he had initiated their sexual relationship.