Vatican embassy closure ‘nothing to do with Cloyne’

ENDA KENNY faced down criticism of the Government’s move to close the embassy to the Holy See, arguing that it would save taxpayers money and was unrelated to his recent criticism of the Vatican.

But critics of the decision claimed it would cause a “rupture” in relations between the state and the Church, while Vatican sources said it was a blow to the Holy See’s prestige.

Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore this week announced the closure of three Irish embassies, including the Vatican, which has been home to an Irish embassy since 1929.