A priest has been acquitted of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Derry over 20 years ago.
Fr Eugene Boland, 66, was found not guilty of five charges of indecently assaulting the girl between 1990 and 1992.
Fr Boland, Parochial House, Killyclogher Road, Omagh had denied committing the charges in the parochial house and at St Joseph's Church, Galliagh, Co Derry.
After four hours of deliberations by the jury yesterday and today, Fr Boland was acquitted of inappropriately touching the girl between June 1990 and June 1992.
Following the verdict, Fr Boland said he looked forward to resuming his ministry in his parish.
He had been ordered to stand down when the allegations were first made against him two years ago.
A spokesman for the diocese of Derry has said it will be submitting evidence to the Vatican.
The Vatican will then be able to decide on the reinstatement to ministry of the Co Tyrone-based priest.
Diocesan spokesman Fr Michael Canny told RTÉ News that its lawyers would be recommending that there were no outstanding issues relating to the allegations.
He said the diocese would be submitting evidence to the Vatican as soon as possible to enable it to decide on Fr Boland's reinstatement.
Earlier the Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Eamon Martin, said that the acquittal brought great relief to many people.
Monsignor Martin said that the whole process has been very difficult for everyone involved.
He added that the diocese is seeking to reach out to anyone affected by this case.
