A notorious paedophile priest in the Republic, Donal Collins, has been found dead in his home.

The body of Collins, who was dismissed from the priesthood in 2004, was discovered yesterday at his house in Curracloe, Co Wexford, after gardai were alerted around 3.30pm.

It is understood the former priest, who was in his late 70s, suffered from a heart condition.

Collins was cited in the Ferns report which detailed more than 100 allegations of child sexual abuse against 21 priests in the diocese between 1962 and 2002. The report found Collins, the former principle of St Peter's College, had consistently abused boys over a 21-year period.

In 1966, the Diocese of Ferns received a complaint of abuse against Collins and he was sent to a London parish, where he continued his abuse for another 23 years.