Irish Wedding News
20/12/2013
It is understood 61-year-old Pat Buckley is being treated for medical issues, including HIV, the BBC has reported.
In court this week, the judge said Mr Buckley was "an important cog in the wheel" of the conspiracy to go against immigration laws. Sentencing, the bishop was given a three-and-a-half year jail sentence, suspended for three years.
Last week, he had pleaded guilty to 14 charges of conspiracy to defraud.
A judge told the accused: "What you did was wrong. You committed a series of serious crimes which you did for a financial reward.
"Nothing can disguise the fact that you, as someone who professed to be a man of God and who should have been setting an example to others of how to behave, let yourself down, let your ministry down and betrayed the trust of all those to whom you should have been providing leadership and guidance.
"The loss of your reputation is bound to have hit you hard."
During Buckley's trial, the court heard that the religious leader was neither an instigator or a profiteer of the sham marriages, but he had allowed his naivety in thinking he was helping others to blind him from the fact that he was doing something wrong.
After sentencing had been handed down, Buckley said he felt a "strong sense of compassion for those who must live outside the EU in profound poverty and appalling circumstances".
He added: "I am glad that the judge and the prosecution accept that I have provided solace to the outcasts and that my door is always open to the downtrodden.
"I am sorry for allowing my compassion to bring me to the point of breaking the law - the laws that our society agree upon.
"I did not intend to offend my fellow citizens, but I accept that I have, and again for that I want to say that I am sorry."
(JP)
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Suspended Jail Term For Sham Marriage Bishop
An independent bishop, who pleaded guilty to involvement with a number of sham marriages, has been given a suspended jail sentence.It is understood 61-year-old Pat Buckley is being treated for medical issues, including HIV, the BBC has reported.
In court this week, the judge said Mr Buckley was "an important cog in the wheel" of the conspiracy to go against immigration laws. Sentencing, the bishop was given a three-and-a-half year jail sentence, suspended for three years.
Last week, he had pleaded guilty to 14 charges of conspiracy to defraud.
A judge told the accused: "What you did was wrong. You committed a series of serious crimes which you did for a financial reward.
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"Nothing can disguise the fact that you, as someone who professed to be a man of God and who should have been setting an example to others of how to behave, let yourself down, let your ministry down and betrayed the trust of all those to whom you should have been providing leadership and guidance.
"The loss of your reputation is bound to have hit you hard."
During Buckley's trial, the court heard that the religious leader was neither an instigator or a profiteer of the sham marriages, but he had allowed his naivety in thinking he was helping others to blind him from the fact that he was doing something wrong.
After sentencing had been handed down, Buckley said he felt a "strong sense of compassion for those who must live outside the EU in profound poverty and appalling circumstances".
He added: "I am glad that the judge and the prosecution accept that I have provided solace to the outcasts and that my door is always open to the downtrodden.
"I am sorry for allowing my compassion to bring me to the point of breaking the law - the laws that our society agree upon.
"I did not intend to offend my fellow citizens, but I accept that I have, and again for that I want to say that I am sorry."
(JP)
Top stories
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
