A County Offaly priest has reportedly upset parishioners by disparaging children sent to the notorious Daingean reformatory.Fr Tom Coonan allegedly described these children as "ruffians" who were not wanted by society during a sermon at St Joseph's Church in Ballingar yesterday, according to breakingnews.ie. Reports this morning say the priest is denying using the word "ruffians", but admits saying not all of the boys sent to Daingean were angels.
He says he regrets any offence caused and totally condemns the abuse that happened at the reformatory.
