Australia extends sympathy over abuse victim death

THE Catholic Church in Australia has offered condolences to the family of a former Limerick altar boy, now deceased, who alleged he was abused by an Irish priest who served in Sydney.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, yesterday sent his sympathy to the family of Peter McCloskey, 37, who died on April 1 - days after meeting with Diocese of Limerick representatives for mediation talks.

Mr McCloskey, a father of three, alleged he was sexually abused by Fr Denis Daly, a Clare-born priest who returned to Limerick from Australia nearly 30 years ago after he had come to the notice of Australian police. The Diocese of Sydney had a record of a “moral lapse” by Fr Daly.