This article is from page 6 of the 2006-10-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A PRIEST with strong Clare connections has been accused of stealing millions of dollars in offerings and gifts from a parish in the US.
Monsignor John Skehan (79) from Kilkenny – who owns a cottage near the Cliffs of Moher – is one of two Catholic priests in Florida, accused of stealing $8.6 million (€7 million) from parishioners over a 42-year period.
It is alleged that Fr Skehan, along with Fr Francis Guinan from Offaly, spent the money on luxuries, including holiday homes, travel and gambling.
The alleged irregularities first became apparent when Fr Guinan took over from his friend in 2003 and the church conducted a routine audit.
Two years later, a parishioner wrote an anonymous letter to the district attorney, urging him to get involved in the case.
Fr Skehan was arrested last Wednesday night as he flew into Palm Beach airport, from Ireland. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of his longtime friend, Fr Guinan.
Police carrying out the investigation say the two men acted as “professional money launderers” who took money from the collection plate and set up a network of slush-fund bank accounts to which only they had access.
They say that Fr Skehan used laundered money to buy a cottage close to the Cliffs of Moher, along with a pub in his native Kilkenny.
The allegations have shocked Fr Skehan’s parishioners, where he has been highly regarded.