New historical allegations of child sex abuse by priests in the Kerry diocese have been received since a report on clerical abuse in the diocese was published just over a year ago.

A popular teaching sister, who has helped mould generations of children in Killarney, Co Kerry, has retired after a career of well over 40 years.

A total of 67 allegations of child sexual abuse against 21 Kerry diocesan priests have been made since 1975, but only one priest has been convicted, according to the Review of Safeguarding Practice in the diocese.

The country’s newest Catholic bishop, who has chosen “love one another” as his motto, said it was by no means certain the good times would soon return and urged more sharing with the needy.

The Catholic Church has come under fire on several fronts for not supporting priests against whom false allegations of abuse are made.

A country curate yesterday recalled how the support of parishioners and friends helped him get through dark and lonely days when false allegations of abuse made his life hell.

The bishop-elect of Kerry yesterday said he was “totally surprised” when Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown advised him of the appointment ten days ago.

The stars and stripes blended easily into a sea of green in tourist-haven Killarney as early American visitors, some dressed like overgrown leprechauns, joined in St Patrick’s Day festivities.

Bishop John Magee will not attend the ordination of his successor at Cobh Cathedral this weekend “in case he becomes a distraction”, according to the diocese of Cloyne.

The Pope’s representative in Ireland, Charles Brown, will be the principal ordaining bishop later this month at the ordination of Canon William Crean as bishop of Cloyne.

The Government will today be told to agree to an independent public inquiry into Savita Halappanavar’s death by Thursday or face a European court battle.

It came as no great shock to the vast majority of parishioners in the Co Kerry parish of Cahirciveen that Canon William Crean was chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for elevation to the position of bishop.

Bord Pleanála has given the Diocese of Kerry permission to carry out some, but not all, of the extensive renovations and reordering, it considers necessary to the parish church of St John in Ballybunion.

Three parishes in the Kerry Diocese are each to lose a priest in the latest round of transfers and changes announced by Bishop Bill Murphy.

IF YOU’RE heading down to the Lakes of Killarney in the next week or so you may encounter a large group of walkers out around the shores.

An Irish bishop has said the relationship between the Vatican and the Government has been strained and that may have contributed to Pope Benedict XVI’s decision not to attend the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin this June.

The Bishop of Kerry has indicated he will not be in a position to preside at all Confirmation ceremonies in the sprawling diocese this year due to a painful and debilitating back injury.

FOR the past seven weeks school principal Denis O’Sullivan turned up in his classroom from Monday to Friday anxious to pass on to children some of the knowledge accumulated over a long career in education.

THE parish of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula is steeped in history, with a mining heritage that goes back to the Bronze Age.

THE Kerry parish of Allihies, on the Beara peninsula, is to lose its resident priest, because of a shortage of clergy.

THE idea of a national government was yesterday welcomed by the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, who said it might help “to get us out of the mess we’re in”.

THE Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, said victims of child sexual abuse in his diocese have not had to take oaths of secrecy since he took over in 1995.

BISHOP Bill Murphy of Kerry yesterday entered the controversy arising from the removal of statues and other religious objects from two hospitals in Killarney, describing it as a retrograde step.

OUR Catholic bishops have endured considerable criticism so it is entirely appropriate that when one does something commendable it should be recognised.

A PRIEST who was criticised for giving character evidence of behalf of a convicted sex offender has stepped down from his position in the Kerry diocese in advance of a news conference later today by the 24-year-old woman who was assaulted in the case.

The priest who shook the hand and gave character evidence on behalf of a convicted sex offender has left his post of parish priest in Castlegregory.

THE Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy has announced plans for neighbouring parishes to pool their resources, forming pastoral clusters to be co-ordinated by a priest with the title, vicar forane.

Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy’s statement yesterday that Ireland has the lowest number of vocations in the western world may surprise many people. His suggestion that this has been the result of “affluence” and the opposition of parents to having a son enter the Church may be even more surprising.

THE founder of the Irish credit union movement Nora Herlihy has been honoured in her birthplace on the Cork-Kerry border.

AUSSIE RULES attempts to unearth the next Tadhg Kennelly or Martin Clarke are to mushroom in August with plans for a “draft” camp to be set up here that will run the rule over a shortlist of up to 30 young Gaelic footballers.

MANY people were moved to tears yesterday, on hearing a touching family tribute to a father and son who were murdered a week yesterday.

COUPLES prepared to splash out extra thousands on wedding day frills are being urged to keep it simple by priests in Kerry.

THE Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, has urged people, especially parents, to encourage vocations in young people.

A 12-PUPIL primary school near the Cork/Kerry border is to remain open, following the intervention of the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy.

PARENTS, children and some management board members from St Francis’s National School in Kenmare, yesterday handed in a letter of protest to Dr Bill Murphy, Bishop of Kerry, in Killarney.

SOME parents of pupils attending Kenmare boys’ national school yesterday said they were shocked at a decision of the school patron, the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, to seek the sacking of the school’s management board.

MASSES in the Kerry diocese are likely to be reduced further as the number of serving priests continues to fall. Also, three younger Kerry priests left the ministry this year.

Thousands of UK businesses were today engaged in a hunt for a new telecoms supplier after Cable & Wireless ditched them with 90 days notice.

CHAIRMAN, Bill Murphy and all the outgoing officers were re-elected at a low key Munster Branch AGM held in Mallow.

AT LEAST €9 million has been paid out to victims of clerical sex abuse, latest figures from Catholic dioceses show.

BT Ireland today launched a new initiative to tackle modem hijacking problems and to help customers protect themselves.

BT Ireland has been awarded a €3.7m three year contract by international food and dairy group Glanbia for voice, data and line rental services.

FIXED-LINE phone operator BT Ireland delivered its best-ever results yesterday, as full-year revenues surged 29% to €372 million and quarterly profits were in the black for the first time.