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	Comiskey Is 'More Than Happy' to Testify on Clerical Abuse By Dearbhail McDonald Irish Independent [Ireland] June 13, 2007 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/comiskey-is-more-than-happy-to-testify-on-clerical-abuse-700901.html Retired Bishop Brendan Comiskey, the first member of the Church hierarchy to give evidence in an abuse case, has told the High Court he is "more than happy" to appear as a witness. Lawyers acting for the bishop have informed High Court Judge John Quirke that Bishop Comiskey, a key witness in an abuse action taken by three men from Wexford, that he will co-operate in any way he can in a case taken by the men who allege they were abused by a Ferns priest. Bishop Comiskey, who has made one public appearance in Wexford since he stepped down as Bishop of Ferns, is one of a number of senior Church figures subpoenaed to appear in the case before the High Court. Yesterday, on day 12 of the first civil diocesan abuse case to go to full trial, lawyers for the former bishop said he had been out of the country as most of his spiritual work had been in America but that he was currently in Ireland. Counsel for the three men involved in the case, Jack FitzGerald, pointed out that what had been outlined to the court appeared to be "directly contradicting" the position stated in a letter from Bishop Comiskey's solicitors, in which it was noted that he was away and would not be available to give evidence. Solicitor Noel Smyth, on behalf of the bishop, told the court the letter referred to May/June when Bishop Comiskey did have commitments in the United States. The difficulty, he said, was that it appeared a witness summons had been served incorrectly. Bishop Comiskey is expected to give evidence within the next few weeks unless a settlement is reached. Resignation Five years ago, the bishop was forced to resign over claims he had failed to deal adequately with a host of allegations that Fr Sean Fortune and other clerics were abusing children in the diocese. Three former altar boys from Wexford are suing Fr John Kinsella as well as the Diocese of Ferns for negligence and breach of duty as a result of alleged child sexual abuse. The actions have been brought by Patrick Doyle, an Eircom technician of The Rookery, Bellefield, Enniscorthy; Mr Doyle's brother, Anthony; and Paul McGannon, of Ballinamuddagh, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Fr Kinsella rejects the allegations. The joint action is the first diocesan abuse case to go to full hearing in the High Court. All other diocesan cases involving civil compensation claims were settled before they reached a full hearing.
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