The Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, has apologised, in a statement read to the High Court yesterday, for the "serious sexual abuse" by a priest of an altar boy in the mid-1980s.
Dr Connell also acknowledged that, prior to the abuse of Mr Mervyn Rundle, serious concerns had emerged about his abuser, Father Thomas Naughton, and that a more sucessful pursuit of these concerns could have led to Father Naughton being withdrawn from his clerical duties.
Mr Rundle, now aged 28, of Holly Road, Donnycarney, Dublin, had sued the Archbishop and others for damages, but the court was told yesterday morning that the action had been settled.
While no settlement figure was given in court, it is understood to be €300,000 to €400,000, which would be the highest settlement yet here for an individual resulting from a sex-abuse claim.
The action arose after the boy was abused by Father Thomas Naughton, who was curate in Donnycarney at the time. Before going to Donnycarney, he had been stationed in Valleymount, Co Wicklow. He was later transferred from Donnycarney to Ringsend parish.
Yesterday the Cardinal's statement was read to the court by Mr John Finlay SC, for the defence. Mr Rundle had sued Cardinal Connell; Father Tom Naughton; the parish priest of Donnycarney, Father Noel Madden; and the parish priest of Valleymount, Father Maurice Dufficy. The proceedings against the defendants other than the Cardinal were struck out.