Brady is accused of 'delaying tactics' in High Court
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A lawyer for Cardinal Sean Brady denied yesterday that the prelate was involved in delaying tactics in a High Court action in which a woman is suing him and two other clerics in connection with alleged abuse by paedophile priest Brendan Smyth.
The High Court set a date of July 13 for the hearing, which is expected to last for two weeks.
Dr Brady was brought into High Court proceedings in his personal capacity last December over abuse by Smyth after it was discovered the prelate allegedly had influence in an investigation into the priest.
The claims were made by counsel for a woman who is suing the cardinal, as well as the two other clerics in their roles as head of Smyth's Norbertine Order and head of the diocese in which the order's abbey is located. The alleged abuse involving Smyth occurred between 1970 and 1975.
It is alleged that the defendants were negligent in allowing the organisation of church activities when they ought to have known it was unsafe to do so. The claims are denied.
The defendants are: Gerard Cusack, principal of the Norbertines; Bishop Leo O'Reilly, who allegedly had responsibility for the order; and Dr Brady.
The case was mentioned before Mr Justice John Quirke yesterday when Liam Reidy, for the woman, asked for a hearing date to be fixed because his side believed an application for more details of the claim and legal disclosure (discovery) of documents in the case was a delaying tactic by the defence.
The court heard the application for a trial date had been agreed to by two of the defendants but counsel for Dr Brady was objecting.
However, Maurice Collins, for Dr Brady, rejected the suggestion that his client was involved in delaying tactics.
- Tim Healy
Irish Independent
