Survey shows public wants Cardinal's resignation

An opinion poll published this morning shows that 56% of respondents believe Cardinal Desmond Connell should resign over his handling of the scandal surrounding clerical child sex abuse.

Just 25% said they support the Cardinal’s stance, while a further 19% were undecided on the issue.

More than three-quarters of those questioned believe the Catholic Church has badly handled the sex abuse scandals and 69% said they believe Cardinal Connell’s actions have been unsatisfactory.

The poll also revealed overwhelming support for criminal cases to be taken against members of the clergy who have withheld information about child sex abuse.

The Lansdowne Market Research poll, published in today’s Star newspaper, also shows 37% support for Fianna Fail ahead of the upcoming general election.

Fine Gael has 15% support, Labour 8%, Sinn Fein 4%, the Green Party 3% and the Progressive Democrats 2%. Among decided voters, Fianna Fail has 49% support, Fine Gael 20%, Labour 11%, Sinn Fein 6% and the PDs and the Greens 4% each.

The survey of 1,000 voters in 100 locations around Ireland was carried out before the resignation of Junior Minister Bobby Molloy and it is still unclear how yesterday’s events could potentially affect the election outcome.