The Taoiseach says Cardinal Sean Brady needs to "reflect" on the contents of a BBC documentary broadcast last night, on Fr Brendan Smyth.
The Cardinal has issued a statement to say he feels betrayed that those who had the authority in the Church to stop Fr Brendan Smyth from abusing children, failed to act on the evidence he gave them.
Last night’s TV programme claimed that information was given to an investigating team of clerics, which included the Cardinal, about other children who were being abused by Fr Smyth in 1975.
However that information was not passed on.
Responding to the documentary, Cardinal Brady said he had no authority over Brendan Smyth.
He said he assumed and trusted that when the evidence was brought to the Abbot of Kilnacrott, he would deal decisively with Brendan Smyth to prevent him from abusing others.
Cardinal Brady said he was simply a notary, or note taker, in the process but he did not lead the 1975 Church investigation.
Earlier the founder of one in four has accused Cardinal Sean Brady of failing to act appropriately, by not reporting the abuse of children in 1975.
Colm O’Gorman says the Cardinal could have prevented the abuse of a significant number of children, if he had reported allegations made against Fr Brendan Smyth in 1975.
