Cardinal Brady failed to report Brendan Smyth sex abuse allegations

Cardinal Sean Brady was one of three priests who failed to report allegations of sex abuse by Fr Brendan Smyth to gardaí, it has been revealed.

The victims met with the then Fr Brady in 1975 and were asked to sign an oath not to talk about the matter with anyone other than an approved priest.

Fr Brendan Smyth was convicted of 17 counts of sexual abuse 20 years later.

The revelations relate to a period in 1975 when Cardinal Sean Brady was the part-time secretary to the then Bishop of Kilmore Francis McKiernan.

He has confirmed he attended two meetings with the teenage victims - at one he recorded what happened whilst at the other he asked the questions.

Cardinal Brady's spokesperson says the oath was not a gagging order but was put in place to "protect the good names of all involved".

The Catholic Information Office says the then Fr Brady passed on the reports to Bishop McKiernan for his immediate action.

Cardinal Brady is now being sued in his personal capacity and as Primate of All Ireland by one of the victims.