Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

RTÉ.ie

Cork man ejected from priesthood over abuse claims has appeal rejected by Rome

Dan Duane made the appeal to the Catholic Church’s highest judicial authority.

A FORMER PRIEST who was cleared of criminal charges of child abuse but was dismissed by the church has had his appeal rejected by authorities in Rome.

Dan Duane of the Cloyne Diocese had appealed the decision by the Canonical Court in Ireland to remove him from the priesthood but the Vatican has dismissed the appeal.

Numerous accusations of abuse against Duane were made to gardaí but just two made it to trial, both of which led to the Mallow man being cleared.

Duane’s appeal to the Apostolic Signatura and Pope Francis led to the Catholic Church’s judicial authority reviewing all the evidence against him.

The appeal has now been turned down following “a long period of deliberation”.

One of the court cases saw Duane accused of kissing a teenage girl on the lips, and fondling her, when she went to his house to speak to him about a family problem. The judge in the case directed the jury to find Duane not guilty because the delay in making her complaint.

The judge had said the 30-year delay was inexcusable because the woman worked in a profession which encouraged victims to make complaints.

Speaking following today’s decision, Bishop of Cloyne William Crean said the church are “most grateful to the survivors of abuse who had the courage to come forward”.

“This long and painful process for all involved has now reached completion. We regret that the process took so long,” Crean said, adding that comprehensive child protection measures are in place in the Diocese.

Read: Retired priest cleared of indecent assault charge >

Read: Cork priest denies indecent assault of Cork teenager in 1980s >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
32 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Bryan
    Favourite William Bryan
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 5:16 PM

    Now that’s a joke

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne O'Hara
    Favourite Anne O'Hara
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 5:41 PM

    Why does everything take forever in this country? The inquiry into hospitals keeping body parts after autopsy took years here and six months in the North. Just flipping DO it!!!

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brianto
    Favourite Brianto
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 5:37 PM

    And will cost 800 million

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill Clay
    Favourite Bill Clay
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 5:19 PM

    At what cost? or will it be “many multiples” of the initial estimate?

    Ah this corrupt filth need to be removed

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Devenney
    Favourite Francis Devenney
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 5:42 PM

    Glad to see it’s been taken seriously and not rushed and botched. Hopefully we will get an accurate picture of the state of DV in the country.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Beirne
    Favourite Alan Beirne
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 8:26 PM

    This survey will be useless unless male victims of DV are included. It must be inclusive and representative of society as a whole. The problem with equality is that it includes everyone.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thunder Snowman
    Favourite Thunder Snowman
    Report
    Feb 28th 2019, 9:02 PM

    @Alan Beirne: Why wouldn’t they include male victims? Everyone knows men are victims of DV as much as women are. I just hope they can get an accurate picture of the true numbers.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Limón Madrugada
    Favourite Limón Madrugada
    Report
    Mar 1st 2019, 11:19 PM

    5 years is enough time for half the perpetrators to have died ffs

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds