IRELAND
Irish Independent
BISHOP Eamonn Walsh knew of suspicions about a number of priests in Ferns in 2002.
But their files were not handed over to an inquiry until it almost collapsed in September.
Eight out of the 27 priests identified would not have been included in the report and its appendix had support organisation One in Four not contacted the inquiry, precipitating a last-minute trawl of diocesan documents on the order of Bishop Walsh.
This was done when the inquiry learned that not all documents concerning allegations or suspicions had been handed over.
The Irish Independent has learned that prior to being called to a plenary hearing of the inquiry, which was to consider the serious state the investigation had reached, the diocese had submitted a legal bill for €100,000 to cover its legal costs.