The gardaí were immediately alerted when the priest found out that copies of the tape containing unfounded allegations about him had been posted to a number of people.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Fr Lawrence White from Bray, said, "I can confirm that the matter has been reported to the gardaí and I do not think that it would be appropriate to make any further comment at this time."

The Sunday Tribune understands that the series of conversations that are recorded on the tape between the priest and other parties took place over a year and a half ago.

Copies of the tape that were distributed were accompanied with an anonymously typed letter which contained unfounded allegations about the priest.

While it is unclear how many copies of the tape were distributed, it appears that somebody has a vendetta against the priest and is attempting to sully his character with the allegations.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Sunday Tribunewhen a tape and a copy of the letter were sent to the paper's offices during the week.

A garda source said, "It is rare that incidents of phone tapping are reported to us but we do take them seriously."