The Magistrates Court today overturned an initial decision not to publish the name of the priest who is charged with abusing of three girls in Gozo over a period of time some years ago.

The court, presided by Magistrate Neville Camilleri, upheld the request made by Inspector Silvana Briffa on behalf of the Police Commissioner for the name of the priest to be mentioned, the police CMRU confirmed to The Malta Independent.

The court said the priest, Jesmond Gauci, is not a relative of the alleged victims and so there should not be a ban on the publication of his name.

The court is still to decide on the appeal filed against the release on bail.

The Gozitan priest, 42, of Xaghra, on Tuesday was charged with defiling three minor girls.