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  Bishop Casey to Fly Home for Good Tomorrow

By Bernard Purcell
Irish Independent
February 3, 2006

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1553498&issue_id=13623

FORMER Bishop Eamonn Casey is to return to Ireland for good tomorrow, the Irish Independent has learned.

The 78-year-old former Bishop of Galway is to fly into Shannon and plans to make immediate contact with gardai investigating a sexual assault complaint by a woman dating back more than twenty years.

It is understood that he has "grown weary" of waiting for gardai in Limerick to travel to the UK to interview him about the woman's allegation.

The complainant alleges she was sexually assaulted as a child, but Dr Casey has vigorously denied the allegation and is confident he will be vindicated.

A week ago it was confirmed that Dr Casey would be returning to live out his retirement in the parish of Beagh in south Galway.

Welcome

A house at the rear of Shanaglish Parish Church has been refurbished in preparation for his homecoming and there has been a broad welcome for his decision to return to his former diocese.

Since he fled Galway in 1992, following news of his relationship with an American woman, Annie Murphy and the existence of their son Peter, Dr Casey has worked in Ecuador and more recently at a parish in Staplefield, Sussex.

But his contract to work in the UK recently ended and the Bishop of Galway, Dr Martin Drennan invited him to return home to see out his retirement.

Details were worked out over Christmas and it was agreed that it would be wise for Dr Casey to base himself away from the limelight in the quiet south Galway parish.

Local people have hailed his return and plan to ensure he has the support of his community once he settles into his new home.

 
 

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