TV3 EXCLUSIVELY EXPOSES THE IRISH PLAYBOY PRIESTS

TV3 GROUP NEWS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Tuesday 21st April, 2009


TV3 EXCLUSIVELY EXPOSES THE IRISH PLAYBOY PRIESTS


- One of the Biggest Scandals to Rock the Catholic Church in US History

- Embezzlement, Girlfriends, High-Rolling and Condominiums

- Exclusive Interviews with the Irish Priests Involved

- TV3 Exclusively Talks to Mary Black, the Woman who Helped put them Behind Bars

"Ripping off the Rich: The Playboy Priests" is a 60-minute documentary airing this Thursday at 10pm on TV3. This documentary examines the case of the two Irish priests charged with stealing from their parish of St. Vincent Ferrer's in Delray Beach, Florida.

Recent press reports have told the story of the two infamous Irish Priests who have been convicted of embezzling millions of dollars of church funds for over a 40 year period. This exclusive TV3 documentary exposes their shocking story.

Through a Combination of lengthy interviews with the Priests themselves, the people who convicted them and their victims, with dramatic courtroom footage and police recordings, we piece together the story of the two pensioners who first became known to the Florida Police authorities following an anonymous tip-off by a parishioner in 2005. They had been caught with their hands in the diocesan till and soon more details became clear about their lavish lifestyle.

Following an investigation, it emerged that they had been skimming cash from church collections for so-called "slush funds"  for decades and that more than eight-million dollars had been stolen from the well-to-do parish which is home to politicians, business leaders and senior police officials.

The two men arrested and charged with grand theft, Fr John (Jack) Skehan (81) and Father Francis (Frank) Guinan (66) had been pastors at the church. Both are from Ireland and had been friends for years.

Due to the statute of limitations, the police investigation could only go back to 2001. Skehan and Guinan were eventually accused of stealing over USD350,000 and USD450,000 respectively and both were eventually charged with Grand Theft of a sum in excess of USD100,000.

Last month Fr Skehan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 months in prison and ordered to pay back over USD750,000 to St Vincent Ferrer's parish.

Guinan pleaded not-guilty but was found guilty of the secondary charge of grand theft of between USD20,000 and USD100,000. He was sentenced to four-years in prison.

Both men have been stripped of their priesthoods.

TV3's Commissioning Editor, Fintan Maguire said: "TV3 are delighted to be bringing this exclusive documentary to our viewers. As part of our Ripping Off The Rich series we have been following this story for a long time and can finally air it now that the convictions have been made. With access to the most important people involved, this is a story that will fascinate, shock and captivate the viewer. Made by Liberty films for TV3, we are determined to continue giving our audience well made, powerful and exciting documentaries that really strike a chord."

Images were sent to all picture desks.

"Ripping off the Rich: The Playboy Priests"  airs on TV3, Thursday 23rd April at 10pm.


ENDS.


For further information:

Maureen Catterson

TV3 PRESS OFFICE                

+353 1 419 3430 / 087 7800 737

maureen.catterson@tv3.ie

publicity@tv3.ie                         

www.tv3.ie