IRELAND
Irish Times
Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Latest figures from Dublin's Catholic archdiocese indicate that 102 priests there have been accused of child sex abuse in the 66-year period between 1940 and 2006. Of that figure, 91 face allegations of child abuse while suspicions of such abuse have been raised in a further 11 cases.
Approximately 350 victims have been identified to date, with indications of a possible further 40 who have yet to be identified or traced.
Meanwhile, it is expected the State inquiry into the handling of clerical child sex-abuse allegations by the church's authorities in Dublin will be formally established by the Government next week.
It will deal with allegations arising in the 29-year period from January 1975 to April 2004 and is expected to take 18 months.
The updated figures, released by the archdiocese yesterday, were presented by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to its priests at five meetings in recent weeks and at the regular deanery meetings last Monday.