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Former school principal charged with indecent assault

Donnacha MacCarthaigh is due before the court again on 16 June
Donnacha MacCarthaigh is due before the court again on 16 June

An 82-year-old former school principal and priest has been charged with 12 counts of indecently assaulting three students over 30 years ago.

Donnacha MacCarthaigh, with an address at The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Western Road, Cork, was formally arrested at Gurranabraher Garda Station and brought before Cork District Court.

The court was told that when arrested, charged and cautioned, the former principal at Coláiste an Chroí Naofa in Carrignavar, Co Cork, said: "I did not touch anyone sexually and inappropriately."

He faces 12 counts of indecently assaulting three pupils at Coláiste an Chroí Naofa on dates between September 1972 and June 1983.

The State made no objection to an application for bail.

Judge Con O'Leary released Mr MacCarthaigh on bail to appear again before the district court on 16 June for the presentation of the Book of Evidence.