“I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice ... I hold no ill will to my accuser, I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel; there is certainly hurt and bitterness enough.”

Pope calls upon those present at vital safeguarding conference to “hear the cry of the little ones who plead for justice” and to be concrete.

“It seems the male-dominated culture and religious mores are created by paedophiles to satisfy their sexual demands and desires. Such cultural and religious practices have to be outlawed and the laws implemented.”

Spotlight will set off 'hand grenades' of pain in hearts of abuse survivors and as a Church we can never be complacent about child protection: Archbishop of Dublin.

Psychiatrist, Norbertines and Gardaí knew as early as 1974 that Smyth was a paedophile.