Eamonn Walsh has retired as the auxiliary Bishop of Dublin.
The 75-year-old took up the role as Bishop in 1990 and Pope Francis has confirmed he has accepted his resignation.
As well as his role as one of Dublin's two Auxiliary Bishops, he was also Titular Bishop of Elmham, Head of the Office for Clergy and Auxiliary Bishop over South Dublin/Tallaght/Blessington Deaneries.
Archbishop Eamon Martin expressed his gratitude to Bishop Eamonn Walsh and for his contribution to the church.
He said: "As President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, I wish to express my gratitude to Bishop Éamonn Walsh on his retirement today as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin, and for his contribution to the life of the Church and to the work of the Bishops’ Conference since his ordination as a bishop in 1990.
"Bishop Walsh combined energy in the service of the Church with a real pastoral instinct for those on the margins of society.
"His contributions to debates at Conference level were matched by concrete actions on behalf of prisoners, those suffering from addictions and mothers who were struggling with crisis in pregnancy."
He continued: "He was a valued Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Pastoral Care, a former member of the Communications Council, and was President of Cura.
"He was an inspirational founder of the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative which continues to tackle the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse in society.
"Bishop Walsh was also an early member of the team which set up the Bishops’ first Child Protection Office in 2001, and he has remained committed to building a robust safeguarding culture within the Church in Ireland.
"I pray God’s blessings on Bishop Éamonn and wish him good health and happiness in a well-deserved retirement."
