Paul Keenan
A priest exonerated of sexual abuse has returned to full ministry in his Co. Down parish. Fr Sean Cahill stepped aside from Castlewellan-Kilmegan parish in February 2010 after an allegation was made against him. However, following an investigation by the PSNI, Fr Cahill was cleared of any wrongdoing in August. On New Year’s Day, Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor officially welcomed Fr Cahill back to St Malachy’s Church, where he has served parishioners for nearly 50 years.
”Today is a day for joy at the start of a new year,” Dr Treanor said. ”Fr Sean Cahill now resumes ministry in the Diocese of Down and Connor in the knowledge that his suffering over the past two years, borne with such personal courage and strength, supported by his family, by friends and by you, his parishioners, is at an end.”