This article is from page 2 of the 2013-12-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
GARDAÍ have confirmed they are investigating the circumstances in which an Ennis teenager was married by Bishop Michael Cox.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told Ennis District Court earlier this month that an investigation is underway into the apparent marriage of the 17 year-old Ennis teenager and his 18 year-old Cork ‘bride’.
He was speaking after the woman told Judge Patrick Durcan that Bishop Michael Cox married the couple in Birr, Co Offaly in November.
In sworn evidence, the woman said Bishop Cox charged them € 100 for the ceremony.
Bishop Cox had previously attracted controversy when he ordained Sinead O’Connor a priest in 1999 in Lourdes – he is not a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and is instead a bishop of the Latin Tridentine Church.
In court, Judge Durcan was strongly critical of Bishop Cox.
He said the fact that the couple had paid money for the service was “appalling” and “brings things to the lowest depths.”
“I want to say loudly and clearly that anyone who masquerades as a clergy man and who takes money from young people and imbues in them a mistaken belief that he has married them, is in my view committing the most serious offence”, added Judge Durcan.
Details of the ‘marriage’ emerged at Ennis District Court on December 20 where the boy appeared for sentence.
The teenager, who was described as “naive”, previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges of burglary, theft a and robbery.
He was one of two people who stole a car from Castlewood Park, Ennis last summer.
The teenager pleaded guilty to trespassing on a farmhouse in Lemenagh, Kilfenora last October. He admitted stealing items from a house in the Lifford area of Ennis, also in October, 2012.
He also pleaded guilty to his role in burglaries at houses in Westwood, Ennis on dates unknown between December 25 and 26 (2012) and at Showground’s View, Ennis on dates unknown between December 26 and 27 (2012).
The court heard that after being arrested on a bench warrant, he absconded from custody on December 18 after gardaí stopped at Supermacs, Ennis to get him food.
The boy was due to be transported to St Patrick’s Institution for Young Offenders when he ran from a garda car on O’Connell Street.
Garda James Hanley told the court the teenager was discovered at home where he had used a hacksaw to remove the handcuffs.
Defence solicitor Siobhan McMahon said her client’s immaturity had led him to this point.
“He is happy to settle down in Cork and enjoy married life”, added Ms McMahon.
Judge Patrick Durcan said it upset him “greatly and deeply” that his last case of the year involved the imposition of a lengthy sentence on a young person.
However Judge Durcan added that despite the constant support and help of parents, solicitors and gardaí, the teenager’s list of offences indicates the teenager is becoming a “criminal of the worst kind”.
He imposed sentences totaling 12 months detention.
Recognizance were fixed in the event of appeal meaning the boy will be released until the outcome of any appeal if bail terms are reached.