Retired bishop assaulted by drunken passenger on train

Former bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy (79) was assaulted by a drunken passenger on the Killarney-Dublin train last month in an incident related to a perception of Kerry diocese's response to clerical child sex abuse.

The bishop was travelling with his brother, Archdeacon Michael Murphy, on the 7.30am Killarney-Dublin train on August 6th last. The incident occurred shortly after the train left Mallow.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Archdeacon Murphy said he and his brother were on their way to visit a Sister in Dublin when a man approached. He "definitely recognised me" said the Archdeacon.

“He came along to me. He had quite a lot [of drink] on him. He spoke about being ill. The bishop was reading his office.”

The man, in his 30s, then went away, only to return a short time later.

‘Punched in face’

“He started giving out about problems in the diocese, and punched him [Bishop Murphy] in the face. He got a shock. But we continued on our way.”

Another man on the train intervened and warned the alleged assailant to stop.

Archdeacon Murphy said he was unaware of what occurred after that, but it is understood the alleged attacker was escorted from the carriage by two Iarnród Éireann staff and gardaí were waiting on the platform at Heuston Station in Dublin.

Confirming the incident, a spokesperson for Kerry diocese said it was understood Bishop Murphy was very shaken by the incident.

Child protection

A review of child protection in Kerry diocese by the Catholic Church watchdog, its National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC), published in December 2013, showed that 67 allegations of abuse against 21 priests had been received by the diocese since the mid-1970s.

Of the eight living priests against whom allegations were made, four were laicised and one dismissed from the clerical state. In all cases, gardaí and social services were notified.

Overall, the review found that cases of clerical child sexual abuse in the Kerry diocese were appropriately managed, with improved practices evident since the introduction of guidelines in 1996.

"Bishop William Murphy has met his responsibilities well in this regard," it said.