An Irish priest, Fr John Irwin, has admitted to stealing almost £1,800 from a diocesan and parish funds over a three year period.
Fr Irwin, who ministered on both sides of the Derry-Donegal border admitted that between May 1, 2011 and October 30 2012, he stole £1,440 (€1,827) of collection money from St. Patrick’s Parochial House in the Pennyburn area of Derry of Northern Irish.
Fr Irwin who was arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Derry admitted to stealing the money after he got into financial difficulties.
He also pleaded guilty six months ago to stealing £300 (€380) from the Derry Diocesan Society fund between December 1st 2009 and May 30th 2011.
His sentencing was deferred until yesterday, Thursday, December 4, so the 73-year-old Fr Irwin would be able to repay the money he stole from the parish.
A defence solicitor handed over two letters to district judgeBarney McElholm which confirmed that Irwin had not only repaid the amount in full, but also paid additional compensation as an indication of the remorse he felt as a result of his crimes.
Mr McElholm said the priest’s crime was a breach of trust case and as such was a serious matter.
“It appears this defendant got himself into some financial difficulties and he unfortunately stole money from church funds in order to get himself out of that. Any breach of trust is a very serious matter but in this case he entered an early plea of guilty and fully co-operated with the police. This is a man who has dedicated his life to helping and ministering to others. He has made a mistake,” Judge McElholm said during the sentencing.
The merciful Judge taking into account Fr Irwin’s service as a priest and his remorse and cooperation during the investigation, his age and his state of health stated that there would be no purpose to send him to the prison.
The defendant was given a conditional discharge for two years on both charges. “It is not a violent offence and those who stood to lose have been fully compensated”, the judge said.
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