PORTGLENONE PRIEST MICHAEL MCQUILLAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN COUNTY ARMAGH

In a case that has shocked the community of Portglenone and the surrounding areas, a local priest named Michael McQuillan has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the heinous sexual abuse of five children, including a brother and sister. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of misconduct that spanned several years and involved multiple victims.

Michael McQuillan, whose address was listed as Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey in Portglenone, faced a total of 40 charges related to his criminal actions. These charges encompassed a range of serious offenses, including indecent assault, gross indecency, and four counts of serious sexual assault. The gravity of the charges underscored the severity of the crimes committed by the priest.

During the sentencing hearing at Newry Crown Court, the presiding judge emphasized the betrayal of trust involved in McQuillan’s actions. The judge stated that the priest had “deliberately seduced and breached the trust” of his victims, which included four boys and one girl. The court heard that the abuse took place over a period from 1986 to 1993, a span of several years during which the victims were subjected to repeated violations.

It was revealed that much of the abuse occurred within the confines of the parochial house and during trips to a private swimming pool, locations that should have been safe havens for the children. The court was told that McQuillan met his victims while serving as a chaplain at a school in County Armagh, where he held a position of authority and trust.

The abuse only came to light two years prior to the court proceedings, when one of the victims approached authorities. The court heard that McQuillan admitted to the victim’s mother what he had done, a confession that led to police involvement. During police interviews, the priest acknowledged that the abuse had indeed taken place, further confirming the allegations against him.

In the courtroom, the victims and their families listened as a lawyer representing McQuillan read a statement in which the priest expressed “unreserved” remorse and apologized for his actions. The moment was emotionally charged, with McQuillan holding his head in his hands as the details of his crimes were recounted. The court’s decision to sentence him to 12 years reflects the seriousness of his offenses and the profound impact on his victims.