Hearing on diocesan file expected next month

THE legal battle over documents between Cardinal Desmond Connell and the commission investigating his handling of child abuse complaints is expected to be the subject of a full High Court hearing next month.

Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill said yesterday the court would do its utmost to facilitate an early hearing as he was conscious the work of a public tribunal “may be held up”.

The commission is investigating the handling of claims of abuse against a representative sample of 46 priests out of a total 102 priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin found to fall within its terms of reference.