Irish priest held in Spain over abuse claims

Spanish police have arrested an 85-year-old Irish Roman Catholic priest suspected of sexually abusing three altar boys in Britain over many years.

Irish priest held in Spain over abuse claims

Spanish police have arrested an 85-year-old Irish Roman Catholic priest suspected of sexually abusing three altar boys in Britain over many years.

A National Police spokeswoman said that Francis Paul Cullen, a native of Dublin, was arrested in the town of Arona on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

He was detained on a European arrest warrant issued by Britain and will be taken to the National Court in Madrid.

A police statement said the alleged abuses occurred in religious centres and churches in Britain between 1955 and 1991. The locations were not disclosed.

Police said the altar boys were aged 7, 8 and 12 years when they were first abused.

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