According to sources in the Vatican and Ireland the Irish bishops were informed of the move on Wednesday afternoon.
Both Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin had reportedly been meeting with bishops around the country to discuss the ongoing crisis.
The Editor of The Irish Catholic, Garry O'Sullivan said : "Bishop Donal Murray has raised the bar in terms of accountability for failures in the protection of children from abuse.
To resign for a mistake made almost 20 years ago shows the seriousness with which Bishop Murray has taken the Murphy Reports demonstration of his failure, which it deemed inexcusable."
This is a new departure for the Irish Church in terms of accountability and the taking of responsibility.
Dr Murray is a distinguished theologian and his absence will be felt at the Bishops conference.
According to Irish Catholic sources Bishop Murray did not delay his resignation in Rome and was prepared to resign earlier.
Mr O'Sullivan went on to say that Archbishop Martin now needs The Vatican to "act in terms of the responsibility and accountability of other bishops as it is unfair on the Archbishop of Dublin to be burdened with trying to exact accountability from others on his own."
The Editor went on to say that "this is not just a Church issue, it is an issue for us as a Republic."
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