Former priest of the Diocese of Paisley, Vincent Cassidy,  was sentenced to nine years imprisonment today, backdated to 2024 when he was first arrested and taken into custody.

---

A spokesman from the Diocese of Paisley said:

“The offences committed by Vincent Cassidy in the early 1970’s, before he moved to Australia and left the Priesthood in the late 1970’s, were a most horrific abuse of trust.

The Diocese of Paisley was made aware of the allegations against him around 40 years later in 2018, at which time the matter was referred to the Police for investigation. His arrest, trial, conviction and sentencing are the culmination of that investigation.

It is a matter of great sadness that anyone should abuse their position of trust to carry out abuse.

The Diocese of Paisley will continue to provide the necessary support to those affected, while hoping that the sentence passed will reassure those who were harmed that justice has been delivered.”