Connell offers to meet abuse victims

Cardinal Desmond Connell, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, has offered to meet two victims of clerical child abuse who had organised a protest march for early January calling for the his resignation.

Ken Reilly and Marie Collins had organised a march from the Pro-Cathedral to Cardinal Connell's residence in Dublin for Sunday, January 5th, but the Cardinal has now invited the pair to meet him to discuss their concerns next Monday.

Mr Reilly was a victim of defrocked priest Tony Walsh, while Ms Collins was abused by Fr Paul McGuinness.

Mr Reilly has already called on Dr Connell to resign for not making any substantial statement since allegations about priests in his diocese were broadcast. He said all church files about clerical sex abuse should be shown to the Gardai.