Jury retires in trial of priest on abuse charges Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/jury-retires-

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The jury in the case of a priest accused of abusing three Co Fermanagh sisters more than 35 years ago retired yesterday to consider its verdict.

The six men and six women retired from Omagh Crown Court to consider their verdicts in the trial of Dublin priest Fr Eugene Lewis.

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For the past six weeks, the 76-year-old former provincial superior of the Society of Missionaries of Africa, or White Fathers, has been depicted on one hand as a paedophile, while on the other portrayed as a loving and caring man.

Yesterday, while directing the jury on the law surrounding the charges Fr Lewis denies, Judge Philip Babington warned them not to be influenced by the current public uproar concerning sex abuse in the Church.

Judge Babington said: “The subject of clerical sex abuse has been reported in the Press on a very regular basis.

“Put that to one side. Only you have heard and seen all of the evidence in this case. The facts of this case are totally your responsibility,” he said.

The judge also warned the jury not to be swayed by sympathy or prejudice for either Fr Lewis or his three alleged victims.

Fr Lewis, based at Cypress Grove House in Templeogue, Dublin, faces a total of 11 counts of indecently assaulting the sisters between August 1963 and September 1973.

He was not charged with more serious offences because they were allegedly committed in the Irish Republic.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/new...z0pmP7Wg6S