Gardaí taking no further investigation into original Bishop Eamonn Casey file
The review was conducted by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) at the request of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. A garda spokesperson said: 'This review has been completed and no further investigative actions have been identified."
The request came after an RTÉ documentary titled Bishop Casey's Buried Secrets examined the Catholic Church's handling of abuse allegations made against Casey. Multiple allegations of child sex abuse were made against the Bishop, including from his niece Patricia Donovan.
She claimed that he first raped her at five years old and the abuse continued for years. Ms Donovan told the documentary: 'The horror of being raped by him when I was five, the violence. And it just carried on in that vein. He had no fear of being caught.
'He thought he could do what he liked, when he liked, how he liked… He was almost, like, incensed that I would dare fight against him, that I would dare try and hurt him, I would dare try and stop him… It didn't make any difference.'
The former CEO of The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Ian Elliott, described Bishop Casey as 'a sexual predator'. He told RTÉ: 'It should have been stopped… those that have been distressed and hurt should be helped and supported by the Church. That is a major priority.' Patricia Donovan (Image: RTÉ)
Child sexual abuse allegations against Casey were reported to gardaí, but he was never charged. He vehemently denied all of these allegations when he was alive.
The former Bishop of Galway died in 2017 and was buried in the crypt of Galway Cathedral. However, on Friday the diocese of Galway confirmed that his remains were removed and they are now with his family. In a statement, Galway Disocesan Office thanked everyone 'for their understanding of the situation, for their patience and for their respect as this process was undertaken and brought to a conclusion".
It added: 'Significant consensus emerged around the unique role of a Cathedral as a place of unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt and peace rather than disquiet.' Casey resigned from his post as Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh in 1992 after it was revealed that he had an affair with American woman Annie Murphy, which resulted in the birth of their son.
The Vatican later confirmed that he was formally removed from public ministry in 2007 following 'allegations', which included complaints of child sexual abuse. However, this wasn't made publicly aware when he was alive and was only revealed during RTÉ's documentary last year.
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, July 28, 2000: Tralee bank robbery, fire at Micko's house & Westlife in Tralee
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Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Wife and ex-partner of ‘controlling and dangerous man' secure protection orders
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Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
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