A civil case taken by a man who alleged he was abused by paedophile priest Malachy Finegan in the 1960s is to be heard on Monday after an application to delay proceedings was rejected.
The man, now in his sixties, is taking a case against the Diocese of Dromore, the Department of Education and the Trustees and Board of Governors at St Colman's College in Newry.
He said he was groomed and abused by the priest for several years and alleges a breach in the duty of care owed to him while a pupil at the college.
Finegan, who went on to serve as the school's president, died in 2002.
The man's lawyers, including solicitor Claire McKeegan, of Phoenix Law, said he has suffered severe mental health issues as a result of the abuse.
An application was made on behalf of the respondents to delay the case, citing several concerns including that court evidence would not be made in person due to coronavirus restrictions.
However, this application was rejected in the High Court today.
The court heard that any further delay in proceedings would have a devastating impact on the man's mental health.
Dermot Fee QC, representing the plantiff, told the court that the man suffers from self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Around 35 people have come forward to make allegations of abuse against Finegan.
He was never prosecuted for sexual abuse or questioned by police about the claims made against him.
In 2018 it emerged that the Diocese of Dromore had settled a claim made by another of the priest's alleged victims.
At that stage, the Board of Governors at St Colman's condemned the physical, sexual and emotional abuse inflicted by Finegan while working there.
The priest's image was also removed from the school's photographs.
Later that year, Dr John McAreavey stood down as Bishop of Dromore amid controversy for celebrating Mass alongside Finegan and officiating at his funeral.
