Galway Bay fm newsroom - Bishop Eamonn Casey, former Bishop of Galway, has died at the age of 89.
He was born in Firies near Farranfore in County Kerry on April 23rd, 1927, the second son of a family of five sons and five daughters.
Eamonn Casey was ordained a Catholic priest in 1951- he was appointed Bishop of Kerry 18 years later, and Bishop of Galway in 1976.
He was seen as a progressive and highly influential member of the church, until his resignation in 1992, after reports surfaced of his sexual relationship with American divorcée Annie Murphy - with whom he had a son.
It was a pivotal moment for the church in Ireland, which until then held considerable influence over society and politics.
Bishop Casey passed away this afternoon in a Clare nursing home following a long illness.
In a statement issued to FYI Galway the Diocese of Galway and Kilmacduagh said:
“Having been ill for some time, Bishop Eamonn Casey, Bishop Emeritus of Galway and Kilmacduagh, died peacefully early this afternoon (Monday, 13 March 2017) at Carrigoran Nursing Home, Co Clare.
“There are no further details available, including funeral arrangements, at the present time.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.”
