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Crime

80-Year-Old Priest Allegedly Bites Off Fellow Clergyman’s Ear During Epic Brawl Over…a Parking Spot

Nov. 12, 2012 1:19pm Billy Hallowell

It’s certainly a bizarrely troubling story. The disturbing and head-scratching alleged tale of Father Thomas Henry Byrne biting off fellow priest Father Thomas Joseph Cameron Smith’s ear during a recent brawl brings back images of the infamous 1997 Evander Holyfield versus Mike Tyson fight (as you’ll recall, Tyson bit off a portion of Holyfield’s right ear).

Byrne purportedly used his teeth to tear off Smith’s ear, while the two were having a rip-roar fight in a parking lot in Perth, Australia, on Friday. The men, both retired clergymen, are ages 80 and 81. The object of their angst? According to The Huffington Post, the two were reportedly clashing over Smith’s parking spot, which he was refusing to give up.

After the brawl concluded, Smith promptly picked up flesh (Byrne apparently told him to collect it) that was on the ground near where the spat took place. Later, he realized that what he had stowed away in his pocket was his ear. He promptly called for medical assistance and the police subsequently arrested Byrne.

Considering that Smith is in the hospital recovering from surgery, he was not able to attend a East Perth’s Magistrates Court hearing. Byrne, though, did show up, with his own physical injuries on full display — the most obvious of which was a black eye. While the alleged ear-biting priest doesn’t have a record, prosecutor Chris Lawler expressed concern over allowing the elderly priest out on bail.

Father Thomas Henry Byrne Allegedly Bit Off Fellow Priests Ear

Father Byrne (Photo Credit: Opposing Views)

“They live in the same complex but they are both funded by the Catholic Church,” Lawler told the court of Byrne and Smith.

As a result, Magistrate Greg Benn imposed some strict bail provisions, including one demand that Byrne stay at least 30 feet away from Smith. Obviously, threatening his fellow clergyman is out of the question as well. The next court appearance that Byrne will make is December 7.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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Comments (54)

Dushman Kush
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 6:31pm
Fifty years ago, when I was ten, my grandfather told me to watch out for the Christians….

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- aproudinfidel
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 12:59am
  shut up douche bag.
  
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- kenboo1
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:14pm
  Just those that feel entitled… Its the entitlement mentality whether you are Christian or an Atheist… People are looking to get down wiff da OPP… And old people seem to be the worst… They have been told they are the Greatest generation because we threw everything we had in to WWII and won. So with the title of Greatest generation they feel entitled to OPP…
  
  OPP stands for “Other Peoples Property” Whether that be your wife, car or money…
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:22pm
  Can you name any other groups that think that way???
  
  Report this comment
Kbrockm
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 6:12pm
Catfight! Until the Catholic Church does away with the archaic practice of celibacy, these are the types of whack-jobs that are going to become priests! Celibacy was not part of the original church, look it up! I left the Catholic Church in my 20′s and have never looked back….Thank you, Martin Luther!

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- Chatikh
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 1:44am
  That’s funny, I left Protestantism 10 years ago.
  
  Thank you Charles Darwin!
  
  Report this comment
Archstone
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 5:53pm
That was the most eerie story I ever read….

Okay, I’m sorry.

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Ironeagle
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:23pm
Wwjd?

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by faith
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:21pm
More anti-Catholic pabulum for the haters from the journalist of hate.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Billy Hallowell has a tainted view and an axe to grind against the Church.
Shame on him and the Blaze
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Lotus503
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:06pm
It’s the real-life Father Jack Hackett off of the British TV show, “Father Ted”!

If you’ve never seen “Father Ted” before, it’s well worth watching… hysterically funny! I don’t remember any ear biting, though.

http://www.hulu.com/father-ted

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TDrury
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:59pm
God’s representatives on earth!

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Truthbeliever2
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:52pm
To all Christian Conservative BECK SHEEP:

Don’t you just love how Beck’s news site uses stories from the Huffington Post? Stories that were covered for no reason except to make Christians seem like crazy OCD patients who forgot to take their meds.

Good Job slamming Christianity once again Blaze. You’re doing a wonderful job. And; to quote Glenn: “Man, God really SUCKS sometimes…”

You people need to do a closer examination of Beck instead of blindly following him the way you do.

I WAS a long time fan of him myself; so don’t get your panties in a wad.

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- Copper Catfish
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:10pm
  So, you would take away The Blaze’s First Amendment right to report on ALL the news?
  George Soros, is that you?
  
  Report this comment
- Truthbeliever2
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:18pm
  COPPER CATFISH, This story is straight from a Soros backed news site!
  
  You call this news??? If yes. STICK HEAD BACK IN SAND!
  
  Report this comment
- SanRemo1959
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:07pm
  Wait, are you insinuating that christians are NOT crazy OCD sufferers? Christians are by definition delusional. And catholics got a double dose; what with all the looking-the-other-way while priests– unkempt, grungy, middle aged bachelors very similar to the ear chewing coot in this story–had their way with their grade school aged sons. One day’s worth of reading posts on this site is plenty enough for one to spot the sick, terminal, fatalism infecting the christian right. Three out of four posts here in some way references with glee, the much anticipated armageddon. There are ads for rapture kits. (LOL) So, let’s not accuse Glenn of depicting christians in am unfavorable light. It’s impossible to honestly portray christians in a way that doesn’t brightly illuminate their kookiness.
  
  Report this comment
- Wisdom7
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 12:27am
  “Christians are by definition delusional.”
  
  Really? How so?
  
  Report this comment
pap pap
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:10pm
Pardon me but do you have any Grey Poupon.

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Gourdy
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:50pm
I’d look at dementia as a possible contributing factor in this. I’ve seen how it can make elderly people oddly aggressive and even violent.

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- outrider
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:27am
  Gourdy, good point. I’d like to add another. Drug side effects can cause outbursts of homicidal rage in some elders and even in some younger people. I’ve seen relatively normal people in their 70′s and 80′s who were prescribed Ambien and within a week had to be carried out of their homes in restraints. They were admitted to the psych ward where they were placed in restraints and, you guessed it, given psychotropic drugs to combat their “violent break with reality.” IMO the court should order an independent assessment of all the meds these men are taking before anyone is sentenced.
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:29pm
Yes, they are Christians and yes they behaved badly but even good Christian people are just that, people. We get mad sometimes.

My guess is that they are both realizing what they have done and are repentant.

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- Truthbeliever2
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:55pm
  I love it when the Blaze posts articles that were written by the Huffington Post to make Christians look like lunatics. How about you???
  
  Report this comment
sizzler2220
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:27pm
Not surprising since the Aussies are all decedents of convicts.

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:20pm
I didn’t know Tyson left islam and went into the Catholic priesthood.!?

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izukiddin
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:12pm
Fr. Byrne eating meat on Friday … shame … shame …

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Free2speakRN
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:00pm
Considering that Smith is in the hospital recovering from surgery, he was not able to attend a East Perth’s Magistrates Court ……………………hearing. ?

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Elena2010
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:55pm
Time OUT!

They both need to sit in silence for 30 days at different monasteries to contemplate “be angry but sin not.” That is unless they are both Alzheimer’s patients.

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onewhoreallylovesme
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:48pm
OnwWhoReallyLovesMe…The Blaze is really going to lose respect if it continues with these kinds of useless stories., and Billy, have you put out the word that anyone who has something derogatory to say about the Catholic Church should contact you for an exclusive story…or do you just hunt for this stuff yourself. I think I’m done with this website!!

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- Copper Catfish
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:11pm
  Bye.
  
  Report this comment
- Copper Catfish
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:13pm
  Why do you call yourself “One Whore Ally Loves Me”?
  
  Report this comment
- Truthbeliever2
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:24pm
  Copper, I have two words regarding your comments to One Who Really Loves Me.
  
  SO SAD!
  
  Report this comment
TROLLMONGER
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:46pm
This is only news to Beck’s base audience of 80 yr old religeous zealots…LOL!

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GlennaBeckski
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:45pm
I’d like to know what brand of denture cream they’re using.

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- SanRemo1959
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:19pm
  Mastic.
  
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WiredRight
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:39pm
Zombie attacks are on the rise around the country. Clearly, there is more to this story…

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repairsea
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:34pm
All humans have limits.

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Yaya2
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:33pm
Just love these men of the cloth…they exhibit such patience and love for one another! wonder if they ever heard the greatest commandment is to “love one another as I have loved you”. What a shame and over a parking space.

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- Platonician
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:50pm
  Some people like you are always ready to judge and to persecute the Church.. This has nothing to do with the fact they are clergymen. They are 80′s old, they are probably affected by senile dementia.
  
  Report this comment
- momrules
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:13pm
  Maybe they just flat out got mad. Even Christians do.
  
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- Truthbeliever2
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:11pm
  PLATONICIAN, “This has nothing to do with the fact they are clergymen.”
  
  It most certainly does! That is why the story made the news on Huffington Post in the first place. Now, as to why the story is here on a Conservative Christian news site? Well; that is a question Beck SHEEP need to figure out for themselves.
  
  Report this comment
- aproudinfidel
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 1:03am
  @truth2: FLASH: There is no news on the Huff Post.
  
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- Truthbeliever2
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:41pm
  Aproudinfedel, Very TRUE Brother.
  
  Report this comment
Truth4SureNuff
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:33pm
We live in wild times.

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DadRocked
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:32pm
CATHOLIC – This will stay in the news – Most don’t know or hear about Benghazi or Fast & Furious, but this will stay for quite some time

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salvawhoray
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:24pm
I’m so tired of seeing the over use of the world “EPIC” when it dosen’t apply.

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- theninthplanet
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:46pm
  Surely you studied this in high school right after you studied The Odyssey?
  
  Report this comment
- TROLLMONGER
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 1:47pm
  This site is the right wing version of TMZ. What else do you expect?
  
  Report this comment

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