IRELAND
IOL
25/10/2005 - 17:08:39
Some 21 Catholic priests savagely sexually assaulted young boys and girls in parishes across Co Wexford in Ireland during the past 40 years, a scathing report into clerical abuse revealed today.
A two-year investigation uncovered 100 complaints of abuse, with one priest responsible for 26 assaults.
The report revealed Garda investigations were wholly inadequate, while bishops in the Diocese of Ferns failed to take basic precautions to protect children.
Retired Supreme Court Judge Frank Murphy, who headed the probe, said steps taken by Bishop Donal Herlihy were inadequate and inappropriate. The reports stated the deceased Bishop did not recognise that child sex abuse was a serious criminal offence.
A second senior clergyman, Bishop Brendan Comiskey was also heavily criticised. The report stated he had consistently failed to have priests step aside because he considered it unjust as allegations of abuse were not substantiated.