Church dismisses Brady health speculation

A Catholic Church spokesman has categorically dismissed speculation that Cardinal Sean Brady has suffered a heart attack.

The Primate of All Ireland is being treated in hospital after he collapsed on Tuesday evening.

He is said to have become weak as he celebrated a confirmation mass in the parish church of Kildress on Tuesday evening.

He was taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area hospital after having to lie down on the altar.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church said he is under observation and is in a comfortable condition.

A number of people in the congregation came to his aid, including a number of nurses, but he had to be placed on the ground before being taken away by ambulance.

Cardinal Brady has faced calls for his resignation over the past few months after disclosing he failed to report complaints of abuse made against paedophile priest Brendan Smyth.

He has said he would address the issue on Pentecost Sunday on May 23rd.