Cardinal Daly denied that he instigated the Vatican's intervention but did not wish to say any more as he sensed that Dr Comiskey was under a certain amount of strain. Dr Gerada made a similar denial. A spokesman for Dr Comiskey accepted that the Cardinal was not responsible for Rome's intervention. Bishop of Killaloe Dr Willie Walsh attempted to defuse the situation on Thursday and may have been successful. He suggested that the hierarchy should discuss the part played by Rome and called for an end to the public controversy.
Further attempts appear to have been made to deal with the matter in a less hostile manner.
According to the Irish Times a mediator was being sought and that Dr Comiskey may not have to travel to Rome. Dr Desmond Connell was mentioned as the most likely mediator. The Times also reported that the Vatican is now treating Dr Comiskey's comments about Cardinal Daly in the Wexford People more seriously than any of his earlier statements. At no stage did anyone believe that the affair could lead to the removal of Dr Comiskey. It has been pointed out that it took ten years before the Pope removed Bishop Gaillot of Evreaux in France and the Bishop of Ferns' differences with the Vatican are clearly not on the same scale.