An elderly priest is due to be sentenced today for abusing an altar boy between 1979 and 1983.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault.

The altar boy was aged between 11 and 14 when the abuse took place.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard it happened in the priest’s home, on trips to the beach and in his car.

He would also take photographs of the boy in his swimwear and show him mild porn.

In 1995, a complaint was lodged but gardai gave evidence in court that they were ‘given the run around by Church authorities’ in their efforts to locate the accused man for questioning.

It wasn’t until a tip-off in 2007 that face to face contact was made.

The priest is facing up to two years in prison.