Pomeroy priest ‘on temporary leave’ following sexual images scandal

Pomeroy cleric Fr Martin McVeigh displayed sixteen explicit images of men on a large screen via a USB stick during a meeting at St Mary’s Primary School last month. Around 30 parents and an eight-year-old boy were present.

Parishioners were told last Friday night that a meeting to discuss the matter with parents had been ‘inconclusive’ and that a further meeting would be arranged.

The priest claimed the computer was available for use by different people in the parish.

Following the incident during the Powerpoint presentation, Fr McVeigh left the room flustered and did not return for around twenty minutes. And when he did return, he did not give any explanation, a fact which has angered parents.

Parents told the MAIL last week they would not allow their children to take part in the Sacrament while the priest is present.

And in a bizarre twist, following the incident, the laptop in question was stolen from church grounds on April 9. The PSNI has appealed to the public for information on the theft.

Since the incident Fr McVeigh has remained in his position in the parish but has not celebrated Sunday mass.