IRELAND
Irish Health
[Posted: Wed 26/10/2005]
New legislation aimed at giving greater protection to children is to be introduced by the Government in the wake of the Ferns inquiry report.
The report detailed 100 allegations of sex abuse relating to 21 priests in the diocese over a 40-year period, and criticised the church, the local health board and the Gardai over their handling of the scandal.
The report recommended that those who recklessly engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk of sexual abuse to a child should be prosecuted for reckless endangerment.
The Government has indicated that it may change the law to make provision to prosecute bishops if they fail to deal with reported cases of abuse in their dioceses.