The apology from Cardinal Connell as it was read to the High Court yesterday
Cardinal Connell profoundly regrets the injury caused to Mervyn Rundle by Father Tom Naughton and sincerely apologises to him and to his family for what has occurred.
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Dublin the Cardinal acknowledges that in 1985 Mr Rundle, then a young boy, was the victim of serious sexual abuse by Father Naughton who was then a curate in Donnycarney Parish. The Cardinal also acknowledges that Mr Rundle was grievously injured by this abuse which has had devastating consequences for him and that the abuse has also caused much distress to his family.
It is also acknowledged that before the abuse of Mr Rundle occurred, reasons for concern about the conduct of Father Naughton had emerged which, had they been more successfully pursued, could have resulted in his being withdrawn from parochial duties.
The paramount concern for the future is the protection of all children against the risk of sexual abuse. The Cardinal shares with Mr Rundle a determination that all possible steps be taken to prevent any other child or family from enduring what has been suffered by Mr Rundle and his family. The circumstances of Mr Rundle's injury, and its consequences, further underline to the Archdiocese the importance of an effective and prompt response to any complaint of sexual abuse against a priest, including, where appropriate, an acknowledgment that abuse has occurred and the implementation of measures to protect against the risk of further abuse. Lessons have been learned from Mr Rundle's pain and trauma and that of others, which have been and will continue to be, applied in dealing with any future complaints.