Priest faces civil action over abuse claims

TWO brothers who alleged that a priest sexually abused them when they were altar boys are taking a civil action against him and possibly the Diocese of Ferns.

The men, who are now in their late 20s, are taking the action against Fr John Kinsella, a former curate in The Ballagh, Co Wexford. The priest has been cleared of any wrongdoing by two separate probes one by the gardaí and a second by the Church. But the men insist abuse took place during the 80s, when they were altar boys at St Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy.

Fr Kinsella stepped down from ministry duties in the area last year when sex abuse allegations involving the brothers resurfaced. He insisted he was innocent but said he was stepping down to facilitate the probes.

When the claims resurfaced last year, caretaker bishop Eamonn Walsh initiated a fresh inquiry. After a separate garda probe, a file went to the DPP but no prosecution followed.

The Diocese of Ferns is facing a large number of civil suits from victims of clerical sexual abuse. Two months ago, the diocese settled a case out of court with OneinFour director Colm O'Gorman. He was awarded €300,000 for the abuse he suffered at the hands of the late Fr Sean Fortune.