Diocese response over defrocked priest called ‘disingenuous’
Michael O'Connor pictured at an event in 2009
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore have denied the claim that former priest Michael O’Connor is living on Church-owned property. However, their response has been described as “disingenuous” by a survivor of clerical abuse.
Former Waterford priest Michael O’Connor has said that he is a victim to “some extent” after it was revealed that he is living in a property within St. John’s College in Waterford city, despite a number of sexual abuse allegations levelled against him.
He was defrocked by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan in 2024 following an internal inquiry, that was commissioned in 2023 to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith , which is responsible for defending the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.
Bishop Cullinan said in a statement related to the inquiry that Michael O’Connor was “dismissed from the clerical state” and “therefore is no longer a priest”. In May 2026, the Diocese released a statement accusing the media of creating an incomplete and materially misleading public impression” of the matter.
The Diocese stated that Mr O’Connor was not living in a diocesan-owned property but instead said the property is owned by the Benevolent Society, “a separate registered charity established historically by priests to assist priests who may experience financial hardship”. The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore claim to have “no control over the Benevolent Society whatsoever”. They also stated that Mr O’Connor lost his diocesan allowance after his dismissal from the priesthood.
In early February 2026, Michael O’Connor was at the centre of a scandal when he attended the funeral of Fr. David Keating. Mr O’Connor was seen dressed all in black close to the altar among a large group of priests. Despite being asked to leave by Bishop Cullinan, he refused to move and insisted on staying. As he said: “He [Bishop Cullinan] took exception to me.” A tense exchange of words was had between Mr O’Connor and a number of priests.
He explained that he attended the funeral out of respect for a past pupil: “The priest who died was a past student. There were very few seats, Ballygunner Church is very small.” The incident brought to light the matter of Mr O’Connor’s living situation in St. John’s College.
While the Diocese have denied any responsibility to O’Connor’s living arrangements, their claim rings hollow to many.
Co-ordinator of The Dromore Group, Tony Gribben, has called the Diocese’s response “disingenuous”. Tony is a survivor of clerical abuse from the Dromore Diocese of Co. Down and is an advocate for clerical abuse survivors. After O’Connor’s dismissal from the priesthood in 2024, Tony called on Bishop Cullinan for a comprehensive explanation about the dismissal.
“The good people of Waterford and Lismore needed more detail around the offences for which O’Connor was (investigated)...at a bare minimum. I am not sure that ever happened.” In regard to the latest controversy, Tony stated to the Waterford News & Star: “The Diocese’s efforts to disassociate itself from this charity are disingenuous.
“Trusts, NGOs, schools, charities etc. they are established by the Catholic Church or its agents, and presented as independent of the Church, (but) are effectively governed and managed by the Church itself.” Tony continued: “The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore does itself no favours...where consistent non-transparency effectively amounts to continued cover-up.”
Mr O’Connor is subject to a number of allegations of sexual abuse between the 1970’s and 1990’s. The allegations have not resulted in a prosecution. Mr O’Connor denies any allegation of sexual abuse, stating: “there has been no case, no conviction.” A recent investigation by WLR and Irish Daily Mail on Sunday revealed that Mr O’Connor is still living at St. John’s College, Waterford City.
Mr O’Connor told Waterford News and Star that he was being punished over allegations made in the 1970’s. He said: “It’s been 50 years since I brought a few friends to the beach and helped dry them with a towel.”
Born in 1942 in Tipperary, Mr O’Connor moved to Waterford City in the late 1960’s to join St. John’s Seminary.
While in Waterford he taught theology for over 25 years and was president of St John’s College between the years 1985 to 1994.
In July 1994 he was transferred by then-Bishop William Lee to Kilsheelan and Kilcash Parish in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, where he served until February 1996.
In March 2010, Bishop Lee released a statement apologising for mis-handling allegations of abuse made by several people in the 1990’s.
In the statement, Bishop Lee expressed regret for not withdrawing a priest from the ministry after receiving complaints of abuse. He stated that he met with complainants and forwarded their claims to Gardaí in 1995.
As he said in 2010: “With their knowledge, I reported their complaints to the Gardaí in December 1995. The complainants themselves took the decision not to make a criminal complaint and, insofar as I am aware, that has remained their decision to this day.” Bishop Lee added: “The priest has not been permitted to exercise any form of ministry since February 1996.” Bishop Lee resigned from his post on medical grounds in 2013 and died in 2024.
It is understood that Mr O’Connor did not hold a ministry post since 1996 up until his defrocking in 2024.
Mr O’Connor claimed the former Apostolic Nuncio for Ireland, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, had asked Bishop Cullinan not to defrock him.
When asked about his living situation, Mr O’Connor said he played a part in setting up the Pastoral Centre and worked with retired priests since 1990, stating: “I was involved in building this, a retirement place for priests. I am retired.” It was put to Mr O’Connor that he was defrocked and technically not ‘retired’. He declined to affirm. He ended the call with: “To some extent I am a victim in this.” The Apostolic Nuncio was contacted in regard to the claim about former Nuncio Archbishop Okolo. They released the following statement: “The Apostolic Nuncio usually cannot comment on acts of office of his predecessor. In any case, the matter in question is not of the competence of the Apostolic Nuncio.”
