Woman at centre of former Archbishop's defamation claim to appear in court
A High Court jury has heard claims that former Catholic Archbishop Richard Burke inappropriately touched a girl while she was in hospital in Nigeria at the age of 13 or 14.
Dolores Atwood is giving evidence for RTÉ in a defamation action brought by the cleric against the station over its 2011 documentary 'Mission to Prey'.
Dolores Atwood is expected to tell the jury she first had sex with former Archbishop Richard Burke in Nigeria when she was 14 years old.
The cleric admits sleeping with her but says it didnt happen until 1989 when she was an adult of 20.
In her evidence so far Ms Atwood has told the jury she came from a Muslim family but started attending mass in 1982 after her parents separated.
She said she discussed her family situation with Fr Burke and that he was caring, kind and emotionally supportive.
She claims he first molested her in 1983 when he visited her in hospital. Her evidence will resume this afternoon.
Richard Burke is suing RTÉ over claims the 2011 documentary 'Mission to Prey' depicted him as a paedophile. RTÉ denies defamation.
