The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, said last night he was "profoundly distressed by the suffering of those people who have been sexually abused by Tony Walsh, a former priest of this diocese".
In a statement issued following the sentencing of Walsh at Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court to 10 years' imprisonment for indecently assaulting six boys in the 1980s, Dr Connell said Walsh had betrayed the mission of spiritual service and healing to which he had committed himself on his ordination.
He said he wished to express his deep sorrow for the suffering they had endured "to each of those who were abused", while being aware that his words in acknowledging their pain could never be adequate.
It was his hope that the end of the criminal process in this case would mark a significant moment in the healing of those who had been so deeply hurt and that it would, for their families, mark a public acknowledgement of the grievous wrong committed against their loved ones by Walsh.
He prayed "with all my heart for those who have suffered and who have been hurt by acts of abuse and improper conduct".
Walsh had been an impersonator with Father Michael Cleary's All Priests Show at the time of the offences.
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