The Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, said the conviction of Father Joseph Summerville at Galway District Court yesterday on a charge of indecent assault against a young person was a matter of deep concern for himself and all priests of the diocese. He said the priest had been previously convicted for a similar offence in 1996 and had been in prison since.
"I extend to the young person involved and to his family my most sincere sympathy. I hope that today's conviction will help in some way. The pastoral resources of the Archdiocese of Tuam are at their disposal and I sincerely hope this is of some help to alleviating their hurt," the archbishop said.