He fled the country in 2012 when a civil jury found him liable in another case of alleged abuse – he strenuously denies all allegations.
Originally from Ballingarry, Father Michael Kelly served in a number of parishes in California over 35 years.
In 2007 he was placed on administrative leave while his diocese investigated the charge that he had sexually abused a boy in 1984.
59 year old Fr. Kelly was re-instated in March of last year after the investigation found no basis for the allegation – however he was found liable in a subsequent civil suit for the abuse of a boy- now a decorated Air Force Officer ..
Father Kelly left the US before he was due to take the stand in a part of the trial that focus on his actions and those of the dioceses — now he is facing 3 counts in relations to the alleged abuse of two other boys ten years ago – one of whom was an alter boy – and faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
The grand jury stateside handed down criminal indictments against the priest in January and prosecutors are currently working on extradition proceedings.
