IRELAND
Irish Independent
Aodhan O’Faolain
PUBLISHED
15/02/2016
Three people sexually abused by paedophile priest Brendan Smyth want the Supreme Court to permit them sue a Catholic Bishop here over the church’s alleged failure to act to prevent Smyth abusing children.
If the church kept “under wraps” facts that would have identified Smyth as being an abuser of children, that is a matter of “significant public importance” entitling his side to appeal to the Supreme Court, Michael Counihan SC, for the three, said.
The Court of Appeal last November granted Bishop Leo O’Reilly orders halting the three actions brought here against him, in his capacity as representative of the Kilmore diocese, over the church’s alleged failure to move to stop Smyth’s abuse.
The three – a man, his sister and a cousin – settled Northern Ireland court actions in 1998 for Stg £25,000 damages each over being sexually abused over years as children by Smyth.
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