A STATEMENT last night by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, said: "I am greatly distressed by the indecent assaults against a young girl in 1960 and against another young girl between 1977 and 1979 by a priest of this diocese.
"I wish to say how deeply I feel for the persons concerned and how much a cause of distress it is for me that they have suffered in this way. The abuse of a child is wrong and evil and is even more so when done by someone in a position of sacred trust. The diocese has been co-operating with the gardai and the health boards and has implemented procedures and protocols to report known or suspected abuse and to try to ensure that those who may have suffered abuse are helped and that children are protected.
"I ask your prayers for all those affected by this case but especially for the two women who have suffered so much. They have borne the burden and trauma over many years. They are deserving of our special concern and of our prayers that God's grace and healing will touch their lives and heal the hurt that has been caused. I am mindful also that this is a time of deep sorrow for the priest concerned and for his family."