The alleged victim met with Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe and the Cloyne diocese’s child protection delegate, Bill Bermingham, on Christmas Eve, describing both as “helpful”.

He was also contacted by Bishop of Cloyne John Magee after he wrote to him in late October.

On numerous occasions over the past 20 years, the alleged victim was actively discouraged by a senior Cloyne priest, a friend of his, from making a formal complaint to gardaí, the bishop and the health authorities. He had informed him of the alleged abuse by a teaching brother that took place at a north Cork school about 50 years ago.

The man says the same priest confided in him that he knew of a second complaint made by a girl against the same order of brothers.

The cleric had not processed that complaint either. He also failed to tell the alleged victim that the diocese now had ownership of the school.

The man subsequently learned his alleged abuser was appointed to a senior position in a school outside Munster.

In early October last year, after deciding to bring a complaint to the gardaí, he wrote to Bishop Magee, who responded immediately, and contacted gardaí. The diocese is investigating the complaint.

If the apology is not forthcoming by January 15, the man will consider taking a civil case.

The alleged victim has made it clear he is not interested in money as he has a comfortable life.

“I would find it unseemly and would feel tainted if I was paid more than out-of-pocket expenses... I require finality... I have no desire to have this matter drawn out for many years,” he said.

The Diocese of Cloyne is facing four civil cases against three priests.

Despite Bishop Magee’s public apology over how he has mishandled child sexual abuse complaints, they have continued to aggressively fight these cases.

The man is requesting expenses, without prejudice, to cover the cost of medication and doctors’ bills that he has paid out and is likely to pay into the future.

He says he has no issue with Bishop Magee as he fully believes he never heard of his case until he wrote to him on October 28 last year.

His issue is with the senior priest who actively stopped him from processing the complaint for decades and then refused to admit he “believed him”.

The diocese has been verbally told of the request for an apology for its priest’s failure to pursue the complaint and his alleged negligence, breach of duty, undue influence, fraud and deception.

Papers will be informally sent to the diocese next week and formally to the Personal Injury Assessment Board.

The Diocese of Cloyne said yesterday it could not comment on the matter.