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FATHER Mullarkey with a get well card from children in Little Hulton
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Priest agrees to meet thug who beat him
Kathryn Ryan27/12/2006
A PRIEST has agreed to meet one of his attackers face-to-face after he was jailed for what was described as a 'sustained and vicious beating'.
Father Kieren Mullarkey was punched seven times by two teenagers as he walked home along Coniston Avenue in Little Hulton last month.
Speaking after the hearing Fr Mullarkey, who was left badly bruised and swollen after the beating, said he was willing to meet his attackers.
"I'm quite happy to accept any apology," he added.
"Whatever way they can move on and leave it behind them is a good thing. They're only young people and I've worked in prisons before and you get stuck in a cycle and I don't want that to happen to them."
On Thursday, December 21 Salford Magistrates' Court heard how the priest had tried to run away during the assault but had been pursued and pinned up against a wall and had his MP3 player, keys, £4.65 and rosary beads stolen.
Tammy Reeves, prosecuting, said the boys from Little Hulton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, continued the attack even after he told them he was a priest.
"He gave them the MP3 player in the hope they would leave him alone," she added.
"He was then punched in the face again by both of them."
Michael James, defending the 16-year-old, said the boy was ashamed for his actions and had been drinking.
He also had previous convictions for theft and attempted robbery when he threatened his victim with a knife.
Philip Deberry, defending the 17-year-old, said he was also drunk and the attack wouldn't have occurred if he had not been with the co-defendent.
He added the teenager wanted a face-to-face meeting with Father Mullarkey, 30, of Old Lane, Little Hulton to apologise .
Judge Jonathan Finestein said he took into account the boys guilty pleas and previous convictions when jailing the 17-year-old for eight months and the 16-year-old for 12 months.
He added: "This was a drink-fuelled assault on this man, even when you knew he was a priest you continued with the assault.
"It begs the question about young people drinking to excess.
"The time has come for people in responsibility to not let you roam around with your friends drinking yourself senseless."
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31/12/2006 at 13:00
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