A Tipperary born priest found liable in a civil case in the U.S for the sexual abuse of a young boy has fled to Ireland.
Father Michael Kelly, a native of Ballingarry, sent a letter to the Bishop of Stockton saying that he was returning to Ireland to his family.
Bishop Stephen Blaire had already removed Father Kelly from his ministry after a jury ruled on April 6th last that he had abused a student of Stockton's Cathedral of the Annunciation Parish School in the mid-1980's.
Father Kelly was due to testify yesterday in relation to the charge that the Stockton diocese should also be liable for damages in the case – he continues to proclaim his innocence.
