A child sex abuse victim who is suing the former Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, and the State over their handling of abuse allegations in Co Wexford has won a court order allowing her legal team access to files on the now deceased priest who she says abused her in 1988.
At Dungarvan Circuit Court, Judge Sean O’Leary made an order of discovery with consent against the State, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General, the former Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey and Auxiliary Bishop, Dr Jim Walsh. The order was requested by Ms Fiona Gahan who is suing Dr Comiskey and the State for their handling of abuse allegations.
The parties have been given eight weeks to produce any relevant documents relating to the case that are either in their possession or to which they have access.
The woman, now in her early twenties, says she was sexually abused by Fr Jim Grennan while being prepared for her Confirmation Day in Monageer, Co Wexford – accusations echoed at the time by a number of her classmates.
Ms Gahan is suing Bishop Comiskey personally and, as he resigned as Bishop of Ferns on Easter Monday last, an order of consent was made against Dr Jim Walsh, an Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin who has since been appointed apostolic administrator in the Diocese of Ferns.
The other defendants in the case, the South Eastern Health Board, have agreed to cooperate fully and no order of discovery was made against them.