Diocese ‘reflects’ on Bishop Eamonn Casey's burial in crypt

THE DIOCESE of Galway say they need to “reflect” after watching the major documentary, Bishop Casey’s Buried Secrets, on whether Bishop Eamonn Casey’s remains should stay interred in the crypt at Galway Cathedral.

The programme revealed that there were at least five complaints of alleged child sexual abuse made against Bishop Casey - three in Limerick.The Church received four separate complaints of childhood sexual abuse against Bishop Casey and one further ‘child safeguarding concern’. 

“After watching the programme this evening, we will need to reflect on its contents before making a response,”  a spokesperson for the Galway Diocese informed the Leader on Monday. There was no further communication on the matter following further enquiries. 

The RTÉ documentary is in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail news editorAnne Sheridan, formerly a journalist with  the Limerick Leader. It aired on Monday night with over half a million views thus far.

Bishop Casey was a native of Kerry but was  brought up in Adare, where his father was a creamery manager. He attended St Munchin's College before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Limerick. His first parish was St John’s in the city.

Bishop Casey's  fall from grace emerged in 1992 with the revelation he had fathered a child with Annie Murphy, a US divorcee half his age. 

Limerick Diocese has confirmed that it has received three allegations of child sexual abuse against Fr Casey relating to his time in Limerick.

READ MORE: Bishop Eamonn Casey 'a sexual predator': former safeguarding CEO

The Limerick Leader first reported in 2016 that High Court proceedings were filed against Bishop Casey and the Diocese of Limerick for personal injury damages in relation to one case taken against him in 2016. Two complaints against Fr Casey made in Limerick resulted in significant settlements being made - one was over €100,000.

Bishop Casey's niece, Patricia Donovan, from Limerick, made her complaint of alleged child sexual abuse against him in 2005. Her uncle was never charged in relation to her claims. Ms Donovan never received compensation from the Church but the Galway Diocese did pay for some counselling sessions for her.

Ms Donovan told Ms Sheridan, that Bishop Casey first raped her at the age of five and that the sexual abuse continued for years. 

“He had no fear of being caught,” said Ms Donovan.

The documentary also revealed that Bishop Casey “quietly moved” his Limerick nephew Fr Michael Donovan to his diocese, after Fr Donovan  was accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old altar boy.

In a statement to the Limerick Leader, Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said sexual abuse is a “heinous act”. 

“On behalf of the Diocese of Limerick and personally, I express deep sorrow and regret to anyone who has been wounded by clerical abuse, including the people in this documentary. I am shamed beyond words by the betrayal of trust and the lifelong hurt which abuse causes,” said Bishop Leahy.

READ MORE: Bishop Eamonn Casey's 'Buried Secrets' in Limerick to be revealed

Ms Sheridan said the origins of this story really began with the Limerick Leader in 2016.

“The former Bishop of Galway, Dr Brendan Kelly, declined to be interviewed for the programme, stating that he did not believe it would serve truth, justice or the public interest. 

“I would hope that viewers feel the opposite; that RTE has served the public with a documentary that is very much in the public interest,” said Ms Sheridan.

Fr Casey consistently denied all the allegations against him. He was never charged or convicted of any sexual crimes and remained a bishop until his death in March 2017 when his remains were interred in the crypt at Galway Cathedral.