CHURCH REACTION:CATHOLIC PRIMATE Cardinal Seán Brady insisted yesterday the church was not involved in a cover-up of the role of Fr James Chesney in the IRA Claudy bombings of 1972.
Cardinal Brady said the church had done its “best to share what we know about the truth of this terrible crime” and that Northern Ireland police ombudsman Al Hutchinson’s report did not say it was involved in collusion.
“It explicitly says that there was no criminal intent on the part of the church,” he told RTÉ radio.
“I don’t think he says collusive act between the church, RUC and Northern Ireland Office.
“The fact is that the actions of Cardinal Conway or any other church authority did not prevent the future arrest or questioning of Fr Chesney.”
Cardinal Brady said the Northern secretary at the time approached Cardinal Conway at the request of the RUC in an attempt “to lessen the damage that might be done” if Fr Chesney was involved. “Cardinal Conway undertook to see what could be done. In fact, he reported the matter to the superior of Fr Chesney who questioned him twice and Cardinal Conway reported back to the secretary of state. So, I don’t think there is any cover-up there.”
Cardinal Brady said the decision to transfer Fr Chesney to Donegal did not not stop authorities arresting or questioning him.
He said that, until his death in 1980, Fr Chesney was known to have often crossed the Border but was never arrested, questioned or further investigated by the RUC in connection with the Claudy bombings or other terrorist activity.
“This case should have been properly investigated and resolved during Fr Chesney’s lifetime,” he said. He said the fact this did not happen failed those who were murdered, injured and bereaved in the bombings. When questioned if the church handled the matter correctly, Cardinal Brady said: “From this distance, I cannot judge if it was right or wrong.”
The incident, he added, placed the church in an impossible situation but “Cardinal Conway was loud and clear in his condemnation of violence”.
Cardinal Brady acknowledged it was known Fr Chesney was a dangerous man and said the church did its best to challenge him. “That was more than the police did,” he said. He said he did not know why Fr Chesney was not suspended. He said if such an incident were to occur now it would be handled differently.
In a joint statement, Cardinal Brady and Bishop Séamus Hegarty of Derry said they accepted the ombudsman’s findings.
“Fr Chesney is dead and, as a suspect in the Claudy bombing, he is beyond the justice of earthly courts,” they said. “Clearly, a number of people were involved in the planning and carrying out of this terrible atrocity, some of whom may still be alive. Those bereaved and injured deserve to know the truth. We appeal to anyone who has information in relation to this horrific crime to provide it to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”
The Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry and Raphoe welcomed the publication of the report.
