[bbfan1991]

An internal investigation has been launched by the Catholic Church after a priest accidentally showed gay porn images during a presentation at a school.

BBC News reports that Father Martin McVeigh of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland was meant to be giving a presentation to a group of parents - with one child also present - in a Pomeroy primary school about the children's First Holy Communion.

However, after plugging a USB memory stick into his computer, 16 images of men in compromising positions appeared on screen.

"He was visibly shaken and flustered," said parents at St Mary's School afterwards. "He gave no explanation or apology to the group and bolted out of the room. The co-ordinator and the teachers then continued with the presentation.

"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."

Cardinal Sean Brady, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, released a statement on Monday, saying: "Inappropriate imagery was inadvertently shown by a priest at the beginning of a Powerpoint presentation, causing concern to those present.

"This was immediately removed from the screen. The priest has stated that he had no knowledge of the offending imagery. The archdiocese immediately sought the advice of the PSNI who indicated that, on the basis of the evidence available, no crime had been committed.

"The priest is co-operating with an investigation of the matter on the part of the archdiocese."