A retired priest who stole £1,700 from the funds of a Northern Ireland church has walked free from court with no punishment.
Fr John Irwin admitted to stealing the cash from St Patrick's Parochial House in Dungiven in Northern Ireland between December 2009 and October 2012.
The court was told how the 73-year-old was in financial difficulty when he took the money.
Sentencing of the priest had been deferred for six months to let him pay it back.
The judge heard how Fr Irwin had repaid the money and also paid compensation to the Derry Diocesan Society.
District Judge Barney McElholm said the priest was 'a man who has dedicated his life to helping others' and that he had 'made a mistake'.
He was given a conditional discharge for two years.
That means he will face no action unless he reoffends within two years.
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