Three people who were sexually abused by paedophile priest Brendan Smyth have asked the Supreme Court to allow them to sue a Catholic bishop over the failure to prevent Smyth's abuse.
The Court of Appeal granted Bishop Leo O'Reilly, as representative of the Kilmore dioceses, orders halting the actions.
The three had already settled actions in Northern Ireland in 1998 for £25,000 sterling each over the abuse.
The cases in the North were against Smyth, his order the Norbertines and then-Cardinal Cathal Daly, as representative of the Catholic Church.
The payments were made by the Norbertines.
The three say that the settlements did not adequately compensate them for the damage inflicted on them.
They also say when they agreed the settlements in Northern Ireland, they were unaware of meetings allegedly showing Church representatives were told of Smyth's abuse in 1975 but failed to act to stop it.
An appeal against a decision of the Appeal Court can only be brought to the Supreme Court if the higher court decides the case raises issues of significant public importance.
The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on the matter.
Smyth was convicted of more than 100 indecent assaults on children in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Smyth died in prison in 1997.
Anyone who may have been affected by issues in this report can contact the Connect counselling and support service on 1800 477 477 or the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 77 88 88.
