'Speculation' on reports of Casey return

The Catholic church's Galway diocesan office has described as "speculation" reports that former bishop Dr Eamon Casey will attend…

The Catholic church's Galway diocesan office has described as "speculation" reports that former bishop Dr Eamon Casey will attend tomorrow's funeral of his successor, Dr James McLoughlin.

The diocesan office said yesterday that it had no knowledge of Dr Casey's plans in relation to the funeral, following Dr McLoughlin's death at the weekend aged 76.

Hundreds of mourners attended a prayer Mass last night, following the removal of Dr McLoughlin's body to Galway cathedral, where he will lie in state today. Requiem Mass will take place tomorrow at 1pm.