O’Dea refuses to support Murray over abuse report

A SENIOR Government minister has urged Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray to “make the appropriate decision” on whether he should resign, after the Murphy Report criticised his handling of abuse allegations.

As Taoiseach Brian Cowen came under further criticism for his response to the child abuse report, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea refused the opportunity to fully endorse Bishop Murray, whom he knows personally.

The Limerick East TD said last night that Bishop Murray “is a person who would think deeply about these things, is examining his situation at the moment and he will make the appropriate decision”.