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  Delay As Abuse Report Is Sent Back to High Court

By Fionnan Sheahan
Irish Independent
October 21, 2009

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/delay-as-abuse-report-is-sent-back-to-high-court-1919354.html

The publication of the report into abuse in the Dublin archdiocese is going back to the High Court.

The possibility of criminal prosecutions being jeopardised by its publication is causing the delay in the findings being made public.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern (right) last night instructed his officials to go back to the court to clarify matters.

The return to the High Court means the report won't be published this week, as expected.

The High Court ruled last week that the report of the Commission of Investigation into sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese could be published -- but all references to one person must be removed.

But the Irish Independent understands the threat to potential prosecutions by its publication has arisen. The matter has been discussed by officials from the Department of Justice, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General's office.

In particular, officials are concerned about the impact the publication would have on a couple of cases.

Allegations

"An issue has arisen involving the DPP and the garda investigation into serious allegations. There's a fear if the report is published as planned, it might interfere with a further legal action.

"We don't want to jeopardise any trial down the line," a source said.

Mr Ahern's spokesman said the minister was keen for the report to be published.

"Following advice from the Attorney General's office, the minister is instructing counsel to return to the High Court as soon as possible to clarify issues which have arisen," the spokesman said.

The case is expected to be heard either today or tomorrow.

Government officials hope to be able to resolve the matters in the coming days.

The Commission investigated how clerical child sex abuse allegations involving a sample of 46 priests were handled by Church and State authorities in Dublin between January 1, 1975, and April 30, 2004.

Some of the cases mentioned in the report involve men who are now facing court proceedings.

- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor

 
 

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