Brendan Boland (above), who was abused by the late Fr Brendan Smyth, who was made sign an oath of secrecy in the company of Cardinal Seán Brady (top) in 1975 following a canonical inquiry into the allegations of abuse and who has written a book called Sworn To Silence

On February 15th, 1995, as part the Garda investigation into Smyth’s activities in the State, Msgr Francis Donnelly, a priest of the Armagh archdiocese, was interviewed at his parochial house in Dundalk. He spoke of the inquiry in which he took part almost 20 years previously involving Brendan Boland. However, Msgr Donnelly refused to make a formal statement on the matter to gardaí.

…

Just four days after Msgr Donnelly was interviewed by gardaí, on February 19th, the then Msgr [Seàn] Brady was ordained Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh with a right to succeed Cardinal Cahal Daly as primate. Two months previously, on December 13th, 1994, it was announced that Msgr Brady had been appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh.

Dr Brady will be 75 on August 16th next when, as canon law requires, he must submit a letter of resignation to Rome, which is accepted at its discretion. To allow Dr Brady “retire naturally as if he did nothing wrong is part of the cover-up” of his role in the Smyth saga, Brendan Boland said yesterday.

New book includes evidence of Cardinal’s role in Brendan Smyth inquiry (Patsy McGarry, Irish Times)

Previously: How Much?

Brady’s Response: The Main Points

Cardinal Brady: More Than Just A Notetaker

Pic: BBC