A long-running action in which three men had alleged that they were sexually abused by a priest in the Diocese of Ferns was struck out mid-hearing with no order at the High Court yesterday.
The application to strike out the action, and also to strike out counter-claims by the defendants, Fr John Kinsella and the Diocese of Ferns, was made yesterday afternoon by Jack Fitzgerald SC, for the three plaintiffs.
John Peart SC, for the defence, said he was consenting to that and the judge struck out the entire proceedings with no order. The legal action had been running for several weeks and had resumed on Tuesday.
The three plaintiffs had alleged they were sexually abused by Fr Kinsella and that the diocese is liable for the alleged abuse.
The plaintiffs are Patrick Doyle, an Eircom technician of The Rookery, Bellefield, Enniscorthy; Mr Doyle's brother Anthony; and Paul McGannon, of Ballinamnuddagh, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Fr Kinsella had denied the allegations, while the diocese contended that the action is statute-barred because of the delay in bringing the proceedings.
A number of persons attached to the diocese had been subpoenaed to give evidence in the case.