Connell withdraws bid to stop files examined
Added on February 11, 2008
Monday, 11 February 2008 12:50
Counsel for Cardinal Desmond Connell has withdrawn his bid to stop the Government-appointed commission examining diocesan child abuse files.
The move comes 11 days after Cardinal Connell got an injunction against the commission preventing it from examining files while he prepared his case to show that he had legal privilege over them or a duty of confidentiality in relation to them.
When the case was called for mention this morning, Roddy Horan SC said he was appearing for Cardinal Connell. 'I am withdrawing that application,' he told Judge Iarfhlaith O'Neill.
Brian Murray SC, counsel for Judge Yvonne Murray and the two other commission members, applied for costs.
At Mr Murray's request Judge O'Neill discharged the undertaking by the commission not to examine the controversial files while the case was pending.
At the court hearing on 31 January, Cardinal Connell's solicitor, Diarmuid ? Cath?in, said in an affidavit that any file recording communications between Cardinal Connell, while he was archbishop, and lawyers acting for the diocese, could not be opened to the Commission of Inquiry.
The commission is scheduled to report by next September.
An organisation representing survivors of sexual abuse has welcomed the move.