Top clerics withdraw from 'abuse files' court fight

A potentially bitter court battle involving two of Ireland’s most senior clerics in a dispute over the release of secret church files was withdrawn today.

Cardinal Desmond Connell had attempted to stop Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin handing over thousands of documents to a state inquiry into clerical child sex abuse.

The judicial review at the High Court in Dublin was struck out however after lawyers for the churchmen agreed to seek a resolution.

Cardinal Connell had secured a temporary order more than a week ago, blocking the release of the Church files.

It is understood the documents contained correspondence between the Cardinal and his solicitor when he was Archbishop of Dublin between 1988 and 2004.

Some letters also related to legal advice he received after claims of child abuse were levelled against priests in the archdiocese and others include discussions on insurance.

The Cardinal claimed they are privileged or protected by solicitor-client confidentiality.

The Dublin archdiocese Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sexual Abuse, which is examining how the Church handled allegations against a sample of 46 priests, had sought access to the documents.

Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill struck out the case after Roddy Horan, senior counsel for the Cardinal, said he would like to withdraw the application.