IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
By Claire Regan
28 October 2005
The sex abuse crisis surrounding the Catholic Church deepened today after statements from two dioceses revealed that 41 priests have faced sex abuse allegations over the past 50 years.
The revelations came on the day a priest was sent to prison for a year for downloading child pornography.
The diocese of Down and Connor revealed late last night that 15 priests have been accused of abuse, three of whom have been charged and convicted. The announcement came just hours after the diocese of Derry admitted that 26 priests there have faced sex abuse allegations.
Both revelations came in the wake of the Republic government's damning report into the activities of pervert priests in the Co Wexford diocese of Ferns where 21 priests faced over 100 allegations.