Pat Buckley is a figure well used to controversy but no one could have imagined his chequered career descending into the disgrace of a criminal conviction and suspended prison sentence.Tthe self-styled bishop and former Catholic priest was fortunate not to be jailed after pleading guilty last week to 14 charges of conspiracy to defraud in relation to sham marriages.The judge took into account the 61-year-old's ill health in passing sentence yesterday. These are serious charges although the cleric appeared to present himself as someone who had unwittingly strayed into criminal conduct which he viewed as a technicality.
However, Mr Justice Horner offered a more robust assessment, telling Buckley he was "an important cog in the wheel of the conspiracy" and had committed a series of crimes for financial reward.
Instead of setting an example to others, he let himself down and has consequently lost face and standing in the community, according to the judge.
Buckley is one of more than 20 people convicted of offences linked to the sham marriage racket. The PSNI's organised crime branch, which carried out an extensive international investigation over a four-year period, revealed how criminals charged a fee of £18,000 from illegal immigrants living in the UK. These immigrants would be provided with a 'bride' from the Portuguese community in Northern Ireland and the couples would meet to be married by Buckley in a short ceremony before going their separate ways. This illicit scheme has now been smashed and hopefully this series of successful prosecutions will send out a message to criminals and fraudsters.