BishopAccountability.org
	Connell Withdraws Legal Challenge Irish Health February 11, 2008 http://www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=13042 The former Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, has withdrawn his bid to stop the commission investigating clerical sexual abuse in Dublin from examining certain diocesan files. Last month, Cardinal Connell went to the High Court to get an injunction against the commission. The injunction restrained the commission from examining specific documents, which had already been handed over by Cardinal Connell's successor, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. Cardinal Connell insisted that the documents were legally privileged or that he had a duty of confidentiality in relation to them. However today, the case was struck out after senior counsel for the cardinal said that he was withdrawing his application. The move was welcomed by charity, One in Four, which provides support to men and women who have experienced sexual abuse. "We have continually called upon the cardinal to withdraw his application to the High Court, seeking to claim privilege over documents vital to the work of the commission. We are relieved that the work of the commission can now continue unhindered by legal wrangling", said Deirdre Fitzpatrick of One in Four. She said that the news would bring relief to the many victims of clerical abuse who have already given evidence. "Many of these victims have waited decades for the truth to emerge with regard to the handling of clerical sexual abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese by church and state authorities. The commission can now continue its vital work in exposing the truth", Ms Fitzpatrick added.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.