The Catholic priest who projected gay porn images during a First Communion meeting has  admitted that he has destroyed the memory stick after the images were flashed onto a screen during a communion meeting at a primary school last month.

He has also apologized unreservedly.

Tyrone based Fr Martin McVeigh has again claimed that the images on the memory stick had nothing to do with him.

The priest issued a statement on Sunday in which he said he wanted to assure parishioners in Pomeroy that he was not responsible for the presence of the offending images in his PowerPoint presentation.

“The memory of this awful episode will remain with me always,” he said.

“I deeply regret my failure to check, in advance, my presentation I had no knowledge of any offending imagery existing in it.

“After the images were inadvertently shown, I immediately removed the memory stick from the laptop. In my shock and upset and in my concern to ensure that the images would never be shown again, I destroyed it later that evening.”

The priest added: “I appreciate that the incident was very serious in nature and caused much anxiety and distress, particularly to those who were present on the evening in question and I apologise unreservedly for the hurt caused.

“I want to assure you, however, that I was not responsible for the presence of the offending images and in this respect I ask you to accept my innocence.”

Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Seán Brady has confirmed that he has accepted Fr McVeigh’s request to take sabbatical leave on the understanding that he returns to the parish on its completion.

Cardinal Brady also revealed said the diocese would now work to ensure that procedures and policies were put in place for the proper monitoring and use of computers in parishes.