House bought for Comiskey sold

A HOUSE bought by the Diocese of Ferns for former Bishop Brendan Comiskey has been sold.

Selling agents Kehoe and Associates have confirmed that the deal has been sealed, signed and delivered.

The bungalow near scenic Curracloe in Co Wexford was bought by the diocese at a cost of €234,000 just over a year ago. The asking price for Bracken Lodge was €265,000 and it is believed this price was achieved, netting the diocese a profit of around €30,000.

A diocesan spokesperson denied that the sale had been completed. “The sale of a house purchased and owned by the diocese last year at Curracloe has not been concluded,” she said, but Kehoe and Associates said the sale had gone through. The name of the buyer has not been revealed.

Bishop Comiskey stepped down on April 1 last year following a BBC documentary that highlighted inaction in the diocese when allegations of clerical sexual abuse, mostly at the hands of the late Fr Sean Fortune, emerged.

It was thought Dr Comiskey would retire to the Curracloe house, but just weeks after his retirement he announced he was going to the US to study. He is due back in the country early next year to give evidence to the Ferns Inquiry.

Asked if Bishop Comiskey intended to come back to Wexford at any time, the diocesan spokesperson would only say: “The former bishop is available to the diocese at all times.”

It is believed he will be housed by the Sacred Heart Community, of which he is a member, on his return.

The order offered him accommodation in their head house in Dublin just months after the diocese bought Bracken Lodge for him.

The house, which was to be the bishop’s retirement home, lies just three miles from extensive beaches at Curracloe and includes a living room, back office and kitchen as well as dining and utility room, four bedrooms and a main bathroom.

It lies on a half acre and has gardens to the front and rear, a gravelled forecourt and large rear patio and enclosed rear yard.

Diocesan spokesman Fr John Carroll said at the time the property was offered for sale it was surplus to requirement.