Bishop warns of paedophile priest living near schools

A BISHOP has warned parents about ‘an extremely dangerous paedophile’ who lives about 150 metres from a primary school.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford issued the alert about ex-priest Oliver O’Grady, who lives near a number of schools in the city.

O’Grady, 72, was convicted for raping and abusing at least 25 children in California from 1973 onwards.

Bishop Cullinan stated in a letter to parishioners: ‘If this man is seen in your parish, please notify Bishop’s House as soon as possible. I have informed the gardaí of his recent activities.’

O’Grady lives in a four-storey house owned by a former solicitor and which is close to an all-boys primary school, and within one kilometre of two other primary schools, two secondary schools, a Montessori and a primary and secondary school on the same grounds.

Children regularly use a playground about 300 metres from his front door and he used to mingle with a woman, her children and others when they would go for coffee after Mass.

Matters came to a head a week before Christmas when the woman learned that O’Grady, who currently has no affiliation with the Catholic Church or the Waterford and Lismore Diocese, had a history of abuse.

She said she saw a documentary about O’Grady and when she approached him he apologised.

The bishop’s letter, dated December 21, and sent to schools and parishes, warned of ‘an extremely dangerous paedophile who lives in Waterford, but is not from here’.

It is understood O’Grady is complying with rules to tell gardaí where he lives and is not under investigation.

Bishop Cullinan hit the headlines back in October when he claimed the HPV vaccine could make teenage girls more promiscuous because it ‘changes the mentality’.

He said it was only ‘70% safe’. But he was criticised by Health Minister Simon Harris and later apologised for his ‘poor judgment’.