About People, The Inverell Times, 7 October 1942, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191025019:

Rev. Father M. Stephens, B.A., who has been appointed assistant Priest in Inverell, comes from Tamworth.

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Armidale. Rev. Father M. Stephens Returning To Ireland, Catholic Weekly, Sydney, 14 February 1946, p 20, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146481935:

The Rev. Father M. Stephens, B.A., who has been assistant to the parish priest at Inverell, the Very Rev. Dean O'Neill, V.F., for the past four years, has booked his passage on an Orient liner leaving Sydney about the end of March. He will, however, be taking his departure from Inverell in about three weeks' time. Father Stephens was ordained at Maynooth College, Ireland, in June, 1938, and as there were no immediate vacancies he agreed to accept a position, temporarily, in the diocese of Armidale. He arrived in Sydney in September, 1938, and after residing for two years each at Armidale and Tamworth, came to Inverell in October, 1942. Father Stephens stresses the point that he came to Australia for a temporary mission of five years. He was glad the opportunity presented itself, for he liked Australia and its people very much. He had also gained valued experience. Still, after achieving his mission—he would have left two years earlier but for the war—he was delighted to think he was going back to work in his beloved Archdiocese of Tuam in West Ireland. "If I had been sent to Australia permanently I would have been happy to stay, but as my time has expired, it is only natural I should return at the first opportunity," added Father Stephens. His parents and other members of the family are living in Tuam and he was anxious to return. Some of his ancestors had experience in Australia, his grandfather leaving Ireland at the time of the Victorian gold rush and trying his luck on the Ballarat field. Another relative, a grand-uncle, and a namesake, came out as a priest to Archbishop Carr of Melbourne. Apart from his scholastic ability the departing priest is a wizard of finance and during his brief stay at Inverell raised several thousands of pounds for church improvements.

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Armidale. Tribute Paid to Priest's Work At Farewell, Catholic Weekly, Sydney, 7 March 1946, p 20, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146613566:

A glowing tribute was paid to the Rev. Father M. Stephens' work in the Armidale Diocese, especially in Inverell, during the last three and a half years, when a farewell function was tendered. Representatives were present from Tamworth, Bundarra, Nullamanna and Gum Flat. Visiting priests included the Rev. Fathers T. Leahy (Warialda), P. Doherty (Ashford), J. Moran (West Tamworth), P. Geary (Quirindi), and J. Healy (Armidale). With the Very Rev. Dean J. O'Neill, P.P., V.F., and the Rev. Fathers O'Connor and Foley, they were given places of honor. On the stage with the guest of honor was Mr. L.J. Cloonan (chairman), the Rev. Fathers J. Healy (Armidale), and Foley (Inverell), Mesdames C.M. Wells and A.R. Smith (representing the Sacred Heart Sodality), and Messrs. Les. Fletcher, Ray Butcher, S.J. Parmenter, F.J. Schliebs, Ted Flood (Tamworth), T. Oliver (Nullamanna), B. Herden (Gum Flat), T. Farrell and Sergeant Lynch. Speeches were made by the chairman, Messrs. Pat Schliebs, T. Oliver, S.J. Parmenter, Father Healy and Mr. Ted Flood.

The men's Holy Name Society gave the guest a photograph album containing views of Inverell. A gift of money was made by the Sacred Heart Sodality, and a wallet of notes by the citizens of Inverell. A musical programme preceded the speeches. Father Stephens left Inverell on Thursday for Armidale, whence he will depart for Sydney to join his boat.

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Irish death record, https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1971/04123/4045487.pdf: 1971. Deaths Registered in the District of Galway No. 1 in the Superintendent Registrar's District of Galway in the County of Galway. No. 397: On 2 July 1971 at Calvary Hospital, Galway, death of Malachy Stephens from Clonbeirne, Ballinasloe, male, bachelor, 59 years, Roman Catholic Priest; of renal carcinoma, certified; informant: Joseph Keane, occupier, Calvary Hospital, 8 July 1971.

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T.W. Campbell, The Priests of the Diocese of Armidale: A Necrology, Braddon ACT, 2005:
Stephen, Malachy

One of five priests on loan to the diocese from an Irish diocese before World War II. The five men were John Grace, Michael McGrath, John Moran, Malachy Stephen and James Walsh. Details of date and place of birth of each man unknown. Details of education of each man unknown. Details of place of study, and date and place of ordination of each man unknown. They arrived in the Diocese to commence a five year appointment in 1939, shortly before the start of World War II. Because of the duration of the war they remained on duty in the diocese until 1946 when all returned home.
Details of appointments within the diocese during the period 1939 to 1946 are not known. Date and place of death unknown. Place of burial unknown.
(Source: O'Connor)

(Reproduced by permission of Tom Campbell.)