One thing that Donal Óg need no longer fear — a belt of the crozier

Some may argue that Irish people are more broadminded these days. They probably always were, but not enough people stood up to the clerical bullies to find out. For decades a few loudmouths were allowed to set the trends because people were afraid to buck them. Some bishops were among the worst offenders.

MIKE MURPHY made a stunning statement in his autobiography: “If there is such a thing as the hereafter, he wrote on the second page, “I have no wish to meet either my mother or father again.”

When Gay Byrne interviewed him about the book on the Late Late Show, Murphy explained that his parents did not get on with each other and they basically made life miserable for their children.