KERRY:A MAN was escorted by members of the congregation from St Mary's Cathedral in Killarney after he interrupted the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, during the reading of the gospel at a packed morning mass yesterday.
The man is understood to be a former resident of St Joseph’s orphanage in Killarney, which had been run by the Mercy Order, and is in his fifties. The incident took place before the reading of the pope’s letter on sexual abuse in the church.
As people stood for the gospel the man approached the bishop shouting at him “to apologise” and alleging abuse had taken place at the boys’ home. About six massgoers, including a retired garda, and a local doctor moved to escort him from the cathedral. According to one witness, he was not physically aggressive but “was determined” to make his point. “He was only about 5ft from the pulpit and we had to drag him away,” he said.
Meanwhile, a small number of people left in protest during a mass at the Pro Cathedral, Dublin, yesterday morning.