Action 35 years ago 'could have saved abuse victims'

Child rape victims today said they could have been saved from a paedophile priest if the current head of the Catholic Church in Ireland had taken action when he learned of the attacks 35 years ago.

Cardinal Seán Brady has dismissed calls for his resignation and defended his role in a 1975 meeting where two children abused by sex offender Father Brendan Smyth were asked to take a vow of silence.