FORMER Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey will not be prosecuted over claims he failed to report paedophile priest Malachy Finegan to police.
Dr McAreavey resigned from his post in March 2018 after it emerged he celebrated Mass alongside Finegan in 2000, despite being aware of the allegations against him since 1994.
The bishop said he also regretted officiating at Finegan's funeral in 2002.
The paedophile priest's victims were informed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) yesterday that Bishop McAreavey will not be prosecuted.
It is understood the PPS considered nine files linked to Finegan and concluded there was no reasonable prospect of securing a conviction for any offence.
At least 12 young boys were sexually abused by Finegan while he taught at St Colman's College in Newry between 1967 and 1987.
Many more were physically abused by the priest.
He went on to carry out further serious sexual abuse while he was parish priest in Hilltown in the early 1990s.
The first allegation against Finegan came to light in 1994, when the then Fr McAreavey provided pastoral support to the victim.
The PSNI has previously said it did not receive a report from the diocese relating to Finegan until 2006.
Solicitor Claire McKeegan, of Phoenix Law, who represents some of Finegan's victims said: "The survivors are extremely upset and disappointed that the PPS have come to this view".
He added: "Our clients intend to seek an urgent review of this decision, as is their right. To inform that request we will be seeking an urgent meeting with the PPS to obtain detailed reasons for this decision."
