A Waterford-based priest who was defrocked by Rome following a Church investigation into child abuse claims still carries a picture of his alleged victims on his phone.

Michael O’Connor, the former president of the seminary at St Johns in the city, continues to live rent free in a church-owned property despite being dismissed from the priesthood.

The former priest says he still carries the photograph because it has become relevant.

84 year old Michael O’Connor claims he is not guilty of abusing girls – some of whom made allegations of abuse against him from incidents between the 1970s and 1990s.

O’Connor – a former captain of Waterford Golf Club – has confirmed he has written to the Pope’s ambassador in Ireland and the Vatican in a bid to be reinstated to the priesthood.

Some of his alleged victims have come forward following a three-month investigation by WLR and the Mail on Sunday.

O’Connor, who was dismissed from the Church in 2024, admits he was interviewed by gardaí in two separate investigations in the past but says no court charges were ever brought against him and he claims the Church has erred in its application of Canon Law.

However, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan has insisted all inquiries were initiated ‘in accordance with Church procedures’.

Alleged victims say it’s a ‘slap in the face’ and ‘deeply troubling’ to learn O’Connor is still living rent free on the grounds of St. John’s College in Waterford city and have called on the Bishop to make a full statement on the matter.

The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore did not respond to queries relating to the ownership of the property.

Image credit: Damien Tiernan

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