Legal row over alleged Ferns abuse resolved
Tuesday, 30 March 2004 19:46
A legal battle between a family whose daughter was allegedly abused by a priest over 15 years ago and the Diocese of Ferns has been resolved.
In a brief statement issued this evening by the Diocese of Ferns press office, it said the issue between the Gahan family of Monageer in North Wexford and the diocese had been resolved out of court.
It is not known if a financial settlement was made.
In April 1988, Fr Jim Grennan allegedly abused 11 schoolgirls in their parish church at Monageer. Among them was 11-year-old Fiona Gahan.
The South Eastern Health Board began an immediate investigation into complaints he allegedly sexually assaulted the girls one by one
In February of last year, Fiona Gahan's case came before the Wexford Circuit Court.
She was suing Brendan Comiskey, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Attorney General and Bishop Eamonn Walsh for an alleged sexual assault by the late Fr Grennan.
Judge Pat McCartan referred the matter to the High Court for discovery of documents.
The statement from the diocese says it 'wishes to acknowledge publicly the hurt experienced by Fiona Gahan. Bishop Walsh and the Gahan family urge that the differences surrounding the events of 1988 be set aside in the interests of all involved'.
- 9.00 News: Watch the report
