Menu
11/02/2008
Cardinal Withdraws Blocking Bid
A leading Dublin cleric's bid to block the supply of files to the Commission investigating clerical sex abuse has been halted.
A lawyer for the former Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond O’Connor, withdrew a legal challenge against the disclosure of documents requested by the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sex Abuse last December.
Cardinal Connell's successor, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, supplied the documents on computer disc to the commission after which the Cardinal brought an injunction preventing investigators from examining them.
The original affidavit for the release of the information listed documents dating from 1975 to 2004 relating to claims of child abuse against a representative sample of 46 priests in the archdiocese.
The commission is now scheduled to report by next September.
Victims group, One in Four, had previously described the Cardinal's attempts to block the disclosure as “cynical”.
Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Advocacy Director for One in Four, said: "It is disturbing that more than five years on from the disclosure of allegations of sexual abuse made against over 100 priests of the Archdiocese of Dublin and commitments from senior church figures to work to establish the truth of these cases that Cardinal Connell has decided to attempt to block the work of this statutory investigation."
She added: "Any reasonable person must surely ask why Cardinal Connell has decided to take this action. What exactly is the Cardinal determined to hide?"
(DM)
A lawyer for the former Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond O’Connor, withdrew a legal challenge against the disclosure of documents requested by the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sex Abuse last December.
Cardinal Connell's successor, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, supplied the documents on computer disc to the commission after which the Cardinal brought an injunction preventing investigators from examining them.
The original affidavit for the release of the information listed documents dating from 1975 to 2004 relating to claims of child abuse against a representative sample of 46 priests in the archdiocese.
The commission is now scheduled to report by next September.
Victims group, One in Four, had previously described the Cardinal's attempts to block the disclosure as “cynical”.
Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Advocacy Director for One in Four, said: "It is disturbing that more than five years on from the disclosure of allegations of sexual abuse made against over 100 priests of the Archdiocese of Dublin and commitments from senior church figures to work to establish the truth of these cases that Cardinal Connell has decided to attempt to block the work of this statutory investigation."
She added: "Any reasonable person must surely ask why Cardinal Connell has decided to take this action. What exactly is the Cardinal determined to hide?"
(DM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
04 February 2008
Archdiocese To Co-operate With Inquiry
Bishop of Dublin Dr Eamonn Walsh has said the Archdiocese will co-operate fully with the Commission of Inquiry into clerical child sex abuse.
Archdiocese To Co-operate With Inquiry
Bishop of Dublin Dr Eamonn Walsh has said the Archdiocese will co-operate fully with the Commission of Inquiry into clerical child sex abuse.
01 February 2008
Clerical Dispute Erupts Over Child Sex Abuse Inquiry
A bitter dispute has emerged between the Archbishop of Dublin and his predecessor over how to deal with the Government's inquiry into allegations of child sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Clerical Dispute Erupts Over Child Sex Abuse Inquiry
A bitter dispute has emerged between the Archbishop of Dublin and his predecessor over how to deal with the Government's inquiry into allegations of child sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
07 February 2008
Connell Prepared To Go To Prison Over Church File Dispute
Cardinal Desmond Connell is prepared to go to prison rather than allow privileged documents to be released, according to the Irish Catholic newspaper. The paper has reported that the cardinal told friends he is prepared to go to prison rather than breach the confidentiality of the church files.
Connell Prepared To Go To Prison Over Church File Dispute
Cardinal Desmond Connell is prepared to go to prison rather than allow privileged documents to be released, according to the Irish Catholic newspaper. The paper has reported that the cardinal told friends he is prepared to go to prison rather than breach the confidentiality of the church files.
13 February 2012
Domestic Violence Campaign Launches
Sonas Housing and Meath Women's Refuge today launched a domestic violence awareness campaign to highlight the impact of verbal abuse. The launch coincides with St Valentine’s Day, which is a difficult day for women experiencing domestic abuse with the focus on perfect romantic love.
Domestic Violence Campaign Launches
Sonas Housing and Meath Women's Refuge today launched a domestic violence awareness campaign to highlight the impact of verbal abuse. The launch coincides with St Valentine’s Day, which is a difficult day for women experiencing domestic abuse with the focus on perfect romantic love.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Low cloud, mist or fog at first will clear through the morning to leave a dry day with some prolonged sunny spells through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Dry with clear spells for most places through the evening and overnight will allow the odd mist or fog patch to form. Coastal low cloud spreads into northern counties. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
