Cardinal issues statement of regret

Cardinal Desmond Connell has tonight issued a statement of regret following revelations of abuse within the Dublin diocese.

In a statement this evening, the Cardinal said the victims of sexual abuse by the clergy had suffered a terrible betrayal.

He said that in many instances, the Archdiocese did not act with the necessary speed and decisiveness.

The statement comes following revelations which reported that the Archdiocese of Dublin is facing 450 legal actions.

The RTE Prime Time programme revealed concern had been expressed about the behaviour of Fr Noel Reynolds towards children before his appointment as chaplain to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

However, he said said an assessment of the priest concluded there was no evidence of child sexual abuse.

Three years ago, shortly after leaving the hospital, Fr Reynolds admitted abusing more than 100 children in eight parishes in Dublin.