FORMER Bishop of Cloyne Dr John Magee was last night at a secret location after dramatically returning to Ireland.
His
return sparked renewed demands for him to answer questions about the
damning revelations of the Cloyne Report into how his former Cork
diocese mishandled clerical child abuse allegations.
The Irish Independent
can reveal that Dr Magee (74) has already visited his retirement
property in Mitchelstown.
The decision to return has been interpreted as
an indication he may now be prepared to address the controversy.
However, he was not at the parochial house in the north-Cork town last night -- and sources said he is staying with friends.
The Newry-born cleric stayed at the house for a night earlier this week.
His
return will intensify pressure on the former Vatican official to
personally and publicly address key issues in the Cloyne Report.
The
Catholic Church refused to comment last night.
Church spokesman
Martin Long said he had nothing further to add to earlier comments of
Archbishop Dermot Clifford, who is now running the sprawling Cork
diocese.
Archbishop Clifford comprehensively dealt with the report
publication last month and said he understood that Dr Magee was abroad.
However, he warned that it would have been "helpful" if Dr Magee had personally faced the media.
A Cloyne diocesan spokesman yesterday said Dr Magee has not informed them about whatever future plans he may have.
Gardai have no plans to contact Dr Magee over the Cloyne Report.
Dr
Magee left the parochial house several weeks before the publication of
the report on July 13.
The probe was damning of Dr Magee and his former
Vicar-General Monsignor Denis O'Callaghan over how they mishandled
abuse complaints involving 19 clerics over a 12-year period.
It
found that Dr Magee was ineffective and criticised him for taking little
real interest in implementing guidelines on child abuse despite the
fact the church had signed up to them.
Local man Tom O'Shea said that Dr Magee owed it to the community to answer questions raised by the Cloyne probe.