A retired priest is due to stand trial accused of indecent assaults on three women up to 40 years ago.
Father John Murray, 78, of Marguerite Avenue in Newcastle, County Down, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
He faces charges linked to a police investigation into alleged historical clerical sexual abuse.
He, is accused of indecently assaulting three women between 1976 and 1988.
During a preliminary inquiry hearing, Fr Murray, who served at St Matthew’s Church in east Belfast, declined to give evidence or call witnesses.
A defence barrister did not contest the prosecution.
The judge granted an application to have Fr Murray face a crown court trial.
Fr Murray was released on bail.
PAT SAYS
Fr John Murray, former PP of Antrim and Rasharkin has been sent for crown court trial in Belfast.
Three former female parishioners have made very serious allegations against him.
I have been supporting one of those victims for a while now.
At the moment the matter is sub justice and comment is very limited.
When the trial is over I will have a very long and detailed blog to publish.
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BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 