Vatican rejects ex-priest’s appeal of defrocking over child sex abuse

The Vatican has rejected an appeal by a former priest against his dismissal from the priesthood over child sex abuse.

Dan Duane, from Mallow Co Cork, was defrocked following a canon law trial for abuse of teenagers and minors.

In March 2013 a secret canonical court set up by the Cloyne diocese’s former administrator, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dermot Clifford, ruled he should be forced to stand down as a priest having heard from a number of his victims.