Preliminary investigation into Derry priest sex abuse
A preliminary investigation is to take place to determine if there is sufficient police evidence to prosecute a priest who is charged with a number of child sex abuse offences.
65-year-old Father Eugene Boland faces four charges of indecently assaulting a young girl.
He is alleged to have committed the four offences between June 1990 and June 1992.
He was ministering a parish in Derry at the time.
Fr Boland, whose address was given as the parochial house at Killyclogher Rd in Omagh, stepped down as parish priest of Killyclogher last year when a child welfare investigation started.
He was due to have appeared at Londonderry Magistrates Court on the four charges last month but that hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.
It followed an application by defence solicitor Kevin McGuigan who said that his client was not in a position to proceed with the hearing last month.
The preliminary investigation was fixed for March 22nd in Magherafelt.