Ireland Ex-Limerick priest sentenced for sexual assault of teenage boy
Terence (Terry) Loughran, a man aged 63 and former Limerick priest, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to seven counts of sexual assault on a boy aged 14 to 17 between May 1998 and January 2001. The assaults allegedly took place in parish houses in Croom and Kilfinane, at St Patrick's College in Maynooth, on trips abroad, and in hotel rooms after concerts. Gardaí were notified by the Limerick diocesan office in July 2017, and Loughran was arrested in 2019, initially denying the charges before changing his plea to guilty during trial in 2022. Judge Tom O'Donnell sentenced him to prison terms totalling four and a half years in June 2023. Loughran had been laicised in 2013 and previously received a three-year sentence in 2020 for sexual assaults and gross indecency on a different victim.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced16 Jun
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Loughran pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault on a boy between May 1998 and January 2001.
- Where
- The assaults allegedly took place in parish houses in Croom and Kilfinane, at St Patrick's College in Maynooth, on trips abroad, and in hotel rooms after concerts.
- When
- The first incident took place on 15 May 1998 when the victim was 14, and the offences continued until January 2001 when the victim was 17.
- Investigation
- Gardaí received a notification from the Limerick diocesan office of historic sex abuse on 31 July 2017 following a complaint by the victim.
- Charges
- Loughran was arrested in 2019 and initially denied the charges before changing his plea to guilty during trial.
- In court
- The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court before Judge Tom O'Donnell, with the trial beginning in 2022.
- Sentence
- Prison sentences totalling four and a half years were imposed in June 2023.
- Other details
- Loughran, a former Limerick priest, was suspended from ministry and laicised in 2013.
- Loughran had previously received a three-year sentence in 2020 after a jury convicted him of sexual assaults and gross indecency on a different victim.
- The court heard aggravating factors including Loughran's position of trust and authority as a priest.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBishop Leahy's thoughts are with a young man who has suffered so much in this case. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThe abuse was described as a grave breach of trust. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatTerry Loughran was suspended from all ministry after a safeguarding complaint was received and was laicised. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatTerence (Terry) Loughran pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault on a boy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place in parish houses, at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, on trips abroad, and in hotel rooms after concerts. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place in parish houses, in St Patrick’s College in Maynooth, on trips abroad, and in hotel rooms after concerts. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe victim was aged between 14 and 17 at the time, while Loughran was in his late 30s. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe first incident described took place on 15 May 1998, when the victim was 14. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí received a notification from the Limerick diocesan office of historic sex abuse on July 31, 2017, following a complaint by the victim. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí received a notification from the Limerick diocesan office of historic sex abuse after a complaint by the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeLoughran pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault on the boy between May 1998 and January 2001. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeLoughran denied the charges after he was arrested in 2019. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe victim had to go through the court hearing. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtA trial began the previous year with Loughran pleading not guilty. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtLoughran changed his plea to guilty after the victim gave evidence but before he was cross-examined. (limerickleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Tom O'Donnell presided over sentencing on the Friday before the report. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentencePrison sentences totalling four and a half years were imposed. (limerickleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherBishop Leahy has met the man who was abused. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherAnyone who has been abused is urged to contact the statutory services, gardaí or Tusla. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherLoughran had been defrocked in 2013 and denied the charges after his arrest in 2019. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherLoughran had received a three-year sentence in 2020 for sexual assaults and gross indecency on a different victim. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe court heard aggravating factors including Loughran's position of trust and authority as a priest. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherLoughran accepted his guilt and said he was sorry. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherLoughran had been defrocked in 2013. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherLoughran had received a three year sentence in 2020 after a jury convicted him of sexual assaults and gross indecency on a different victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherDefence counsel said Loughran unequivocally accepted his guilt. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jun2023Singing priest, sexual predator: Ex Limerick priest admits sexually assaulting teenage boy for years
Sentencing report. Adds the court, the guilty plea, the four and a half year total sentence, and details of the offences and the investigation. No existing case in the list matches.
convicted, Terence (Terry) Loughran, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Terence (Terry) Loughranvictim, 14 to 17 at the time of the offences, male - 16 Jun2023Singing priest, sexual predator: Ex Limerick priest admits sexually assaulting teenage boy for years
Adds the guilty plea to seven counts, the sentence of four and a half years, the trial history, the complaint and investigation timeline, the court details, and the accused's earlier conviction for offences against a different victim.
victim, 14 to 17 at the time of the offences, maleconvicted, Terence (Terry) Loughran, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Terence (Terry) Loughran - 16 Jun2023Bishop Brendan Leahy meets with victim of sexual assaults
Bishop Leahy's response after meeting the victim. The article refers to a court hearing but does not give the offence details, dates, charge or outcome. It names the priest, Terry Loughran, and says he was suspended and laicised.
victimsuspect, Terry Loughran, named, irish (judged from name)Terry Loughran