Cardinal can prove his sincerity by turning himself in to the gardaí

CARDINAL Seán Brady has apologised ... he could hardly do any less. However, his apology is far from complete. He accepts only that his actions were “inadequate”. His apology is only offered to “anyone” who has been hurt by “any” failure on his part and those who “feel” let down by him.

Further he accepts, only “with hindsight”, that these were in fact failures. He is clearly implying that at the time he believed his actions were correct.

There are many people who believe Fr Brady, as he was then, didn’t fail to act, but acted quite decisively to prevent Brendan Smyth’s heinous crimes from being reported to the civil authorities, ie, the gardaí. Apologies, if they are to have any meaning, must be accompanied with some sort of restitution.