Court halts damages actions against bishop over handling of Brendan Smyth abuse

The Court of Appeal has halted three actions for damages brought against a Bishop over the Church’s alleged failure to act to prevent paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth from sexually abusing children.

A man, his sister and a cousin were taking the action against the Bishop of Kilmore Dr Leo O'Reilly, as representative of the Diocese of Kilmore; and Cardinal Sean Brady in his former capacity as a secretary to former Bishop of Kilmore Francis McKiernan during a church investigation into complaints about Fr Brendan Smyth in 1975.