The Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan has confirmed one of his predecessors, Dr Eamonn Casey (78), will return to live in the diocese in the near future.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Bishop Drennan said: "Bishop Eamonn Casey has decided to return to Ireland in the near future.
"He will reside in Beagh, Co Galway.
"I am very happy that Bishop Casey has decided to return to live in Galway.
"Since taking up office as Bishop of Galway in July 2005, I have found that the attitude of the priests and people of the diocese, towards his return, has been both positive and compassionate.
"I hope that Bishop Eamonn will find the privacy and peace that he deserves in his new home in Galway."
Dr Casey, who served as Bishop of Galway from 1976 to 1992, left his post and left Ireland after it emerged he had fathered a son, Peter, with Annie Murphy.
The former bishop has returned to Galway privately several times and his experiences have led him to believe he will receive a sympathetic response from former parishioners.
Dr Casey was ordained as a priest in 1951. He worked in Britain for a period where he was active in social housing and Irish emigrant circles, and was appointed Bishop of Kerry in 1969.
During his tenure in Kerry, he developed a relationship with Annie Murphy, but the affair and birth of a baby son, Peter, was unknown when he was appointed Bishop of Galway in 1976.