More than 50% of women want Eamonn Casey’s remains disinterred from the Galway Cathedral crypt, a new poll has found.
And, after a litany of child sexual abuse allegations were revealed
against the former Bishop of Galway, this figure rises to 60% of all
those aged 55 and over who want him removed from his current resting place.
It is nearly a month since the Galway Diocese issued its last statement on whether the disgraced cleric will remain in the hallowed grounds of the cathedral crypt, following calls for him to be disinterred. It has since refused to comment further after outlining that time and space was needed for consultation, a position it has held since July 27.
Now, an Amárach poll commissioned by the Irish Daily Mail/DMG Media has found that overall, 49% of some 1,000 adults surveyed believe he should be disinterred, with 17% disagreeing, and 34% saying they ‘don’t know’.
Support for his remains to be removed is highest among females at 52%, compared to 46% of men. The largest number who support disinterment is among those aged 55 and over, of both sexes, which stands at 60% for his remains to be removed, followed by those aged 45-53 at 59%, and by those aged 35-44 (48%).
Some 21% of men surveyed want him to remain in the crypt, compared to just 13% of women. Those aged 55 and over were the least undecided on the controversial issue, with 60% in favour of his removal from the crypt, 20% not agreeing with disinterment, and with 20% saying they didn’t know.
Those aged 55 and above would have been born in 1969 or thereafter when Casey was appointed bishop of his native Kerry, and would, in their 20s then, have greater knowledge of his fall from grace in 1992 when it was revealed that he had fathered a child with his distant American cousin Annie Murphy and was forced to hand his resignation to Pope John Paul II.
The landmark RTÉ documentary Bishop Casey’s Buried Secrets, produced in association with The Irish Mail on Sunday, revealed Casey had been removed from ministry by the Vatican before 2006 and that the ban was reiterated to him in 2007 after the Church received multiple allegations of abuse. It aired on July 22, and has been watched by close to 700,000 viewers on TV and on the RTÉ Player.
After a public outcry over his remains being interred in the crypt of Galway Cathedral following his death in March 2017, the Mail revealed on August 12 that the Limerick Diocese had indicated it was willing to take the remains of the bishop for burial, but had stressed this decision was not up to the diocese. Taoiseach Simon Harris also earlier told the Mail: ‘I note the Church’s comment on Eamonn Casey’s remains being at Galway Cathedral and urge them to ensure their further consideration and consultation is victim-focused.’
Dublin councillor Ruth Coppinger, former Solidarity TD for Dublin West, told the Mail last night: ‘Removing Casey from the crypt in Galway Cathedral has become a key issue but it should be the bare minimum the Catholic Church is required to do. ‘It is beyond disgusting that the Diocese [of Galway] gave Casey a burial with full honours knowing of complaints of child sex abuse against him.
‘The diocese and hierarchy has lied to the public for years about Eamonn Casey – it knew of at least five formal complaints against him but kept that secret and didn’t defrock him. Let’s remember one of the victims is his niece [Patricia Donovan] who consistently said she was raped from the age of five and subjected to violence. The people who knew of these complaints and took no safeguarding actions should be investigated and charges should follow for any crimes.
‘Massive compensation is due to victims as well’
The poll showed that among 25- 34-year-olds, support for disinterment dropped to 36%, while just 18% of 18-24-year-olds felt his remains should be removed.
Both of these age groups saw the highest proportion of people who were undecided on the issue, ranging from 50-59%. After the show aired, Casey’s online death notice was taken down, in line with protocols set out by the Church for clergy removed from ministry due to credible allegations of child sexual abuse.
The Vatican has stressed that it did not get involved in any decisions left to the ‘local level’.
Sources said that a burial in Limerick, where several of his family members have been laid to rest, would be a more appropriate interment.
When asked by the Mail if the Limerick Diocese would be willing to accept his remains, a spokesman said: ‘This is not a matter for Limerick Diocese to decide but in the event that all relevant parties were to make such a decision, Limerick Diocese would fully co-operate.’