Ex-bishop Casey opts for Galway retirement

THE former bishop of Galway Dr Eamon Casey is to return permanently to Ireland.

A formal announcement, confirming his decision to retire to south Galway, is expected this weekend from the diocesan authorities.

It is believed Dr Casey has already been living in Ireland for several weeks.

The now 79-year-old quit Ireland in controversial circumstances in 1992. He resigned his post after revealing he had fathered a son, Peter, with American divorcee Annie Murphy.

He has conveyed his decision to retire to Ireland to the present Bishop of Galway, Dr Martin Drennan.

Dr Casey remains a favourite of the public in Galway, where he can expect to be welcomed home.

However, the former bishop was, in recent weeks, at the centre of fresh controversy in southern England.

It is believed an Irish-born woman living in Britain made unspecified allegations against him but neither the authorities in Britain or Ireland have plans to pursue any action against him.

After the allegation surfaced in December, Dr Casey stood aside from a ministry in a rural parish in the diocese of Arundel and Brighton.