The Minister for Health and Children will meet with a number of victims of the late Father Sean Fortune this Thursday, it was confirmed today.
Mr Micheál Martin and the Government are now under pressure to establish a full tribunal of inquiry into the handling by the Catholic Church of sex abuse cases in the Diocese of Ferns, following the resignation yesterday of the Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey.
A Department of Health spokesman told ireland.comthe meeting was requested by victims of the paedophile priest Father Fortune. They want to discuss the possibility of holding a full inquiry into the abuse. They have also written to the Pope to ask him to release files relating to the abuse held in Rome.
Victims of Father Fortune said yesterday Dr Comiskey should not be scapegoated by the Catholic Church. One survivor of the abuse, Mr Colm O’Gorman, said Dr Comiskey's resignation had increased the need for a State inquiry.
Dr Comiskey announced his resignation outside his residence in Wexford shortly after midday yesterday. He said he had tendered his resignation to Pope John Paul last Thursday and would be going to Rome later this week "in furtherance of this process".
A panel is due to discuss the case on RTE's Prime Timeprogramme this evening and the documentary 'Suing the Pope', which brought about the revelations leading to Dr Comiskey's resignation, will be screened on RTE 1 at 10:40 tonight.
While the Government faces mounting pressure to agree to an inquiry, but Government sources have pointed out that legal actions being taken by victims of Father Fortune could impede the holding of an inquiry.