IRELAND
Irish Emigrant
A similar inquiry for the Archdiocese of Dublin is expected to be established in the near future, probably within a month. Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said that the diocese will co-operate fully. Some commentators questioned the delay in launching this inquiry, which was promised long ago. There were also calls for inquiries in all Catholic dioceses but the Government response was to propose an audit of allegations of clerical abuse of children to ascertain where inquiries could be beneficial.
Bishop of Derry Dr Séamus Hegarty gave a detailed account of allegations of sexual abuse in his diocese. Over the past 50 years accusations have been levelled against 26 priests, nine of whom are now dead. Some had the allegations withdrawn, the claims made against two were deemed not to constitute abuse, three complainants refused to identify the priests involved and two cases reached the courts, where one priest was convicted and one acquitted.