The Archdiocese of Armagh, headed up by Ireland’s Primate Cardinal Sean Brady, has launched a formal investigation into Father Martin McVeigh, the Tyrone priest who accidentally aired gay porn to members of his parish during a PowerPoint presentation for parents of First Communicants.

Last week McVeigh was setting up a PowerPoint presentation for a group of parents, in preparation for the parish’s upcoming First Holy Communion services. Sixteen gay porn images allegedly flashed on the screen when McVeigh inserted his USB into the computer.

Brady released a statement on the matter. He said that the images had been “immediately removed” from the overhead projector’s screen and he added that McVeigh had “no knowledge of the offending imagery”.

The Archbishop said the Church had immediately sought the advice of the local police who said that no crime had been committed.

He added, “The priest is co-operating with an investigation of the matter on the part of the Archdiocese.”

The Ulster Herald newspaper quoted McVeigh as saying that the images could be “legitimately explained.” However, he has so far failed to explain how the images got onto his computer.

The planned protests outside his Church at Pomeroy, County Tyrone were canceled due to the fact that McVeigh did not officiate at the weekend Masses for Palm Sunday.

One of the parents present at the meeting told the BBC that McVeigh “was visibly shaken and flustered. He gave no explanation or apology to the group and bolted out of the room. The coordinator and the teachers then continued with the presentation.

"The meeting continued in his absence, however, the parents who viewed the pictures were horrified and distracted.

"Twenty minutes later he returned, he continued with the meeting and wrapped up by saying that the children get lots of money for their Holy Communion and should consider giving some of it to the church."