Poll shows support for Bishop Casey

A new poll shows the majority of people in Galway would be happy to see Bishop Eamonn Casey return to the diocese in some capacity.

Many would be happy to see him retire there, with others happy for him to return as a practising cleric.

It is just over 10 years since Bishop Casey left Ireland in a wave of controversy, after it was revealed he had fathered a child during a relationship with American woman, Annie Murphy, and used diocese funds to support him.

The MRBI poll for TG4 shows 50% of those living in the diocese today say Bishop Casey should be allowed to return to Galway to retire.

19% would welcome him back as a priest and 11% as a bishop. Only 7% said he should not have to explain his actions.

In ranking the most serious elements of his conduct, his misuse of the diocese funds came out on top, with how he treated his son second, ahead of either the fact that he had a relationship or fathered a child.