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.

If I apologise to you for taking your money, the apology remains empty if I keep the money.

Seán Brady can very easily make restitution and convince his flock and, the Irish nation, that his apology is, in fact, sincere.

He can turn himself in to Dundalk garda station. There he can make a statement to the gardaí that he had participated in a process where he took evidence from two children who were raped by a colleague of his and that he swore the two victims to secrecy. He can also admit that, by these actions, he became an accomplice after the fact and that he deliberately perverted the course of justice.

He can face trial and plead guilty to whatever charges are brought. He can plead, in mitigation, that at the time he believed he was taking the correct course of action.

John Collins

Kinvara Park

Ballyvolane

Cork