A Tipperary born priest is facing extradition to the US to face charges of sex abuse.
Father Michael Kelly from Ballingarry has been formally indicted on four counts by a grand jury in California.
In April of 2012 Fr. Kelly returned to Ireland just a day before he was due to give evidence in a case relating to alleged abuse of an altar boy in the US in the 1980's.
Before he fled the states the priest wrote to the Bishop stating he was on his way to Ireland, that he was suffering from “chronic bowel problems” and was “physically and mentally spent” from what he described as the “vicious false allegations” that had been spread about him over the past four and a half years.
The diocese where the abuse allegedly took place agreed to pay $3.7 million to the claimant.
Two more people came forward in 2012 alleging they had been abused by Father Kelly and The District Attorney's office in Calaveras County says its now seeking his extradition back to America to face charges.
Father Kelly – who continues to hold the tile of priest in the sates but is no longer allowed to wear a collar or perform sacraments – has always protested his innocence.
