Lessons from Ireland's Sex Abuse Coverups

ABC 4
March 19, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport/ireland-sex-abuse-inquiries/4579474

The findings of Judge Yvonne Murphy's inquiry in 2009 blew the lid on four decades of abuse and coverups by Dublin's Catholic Archdiocese

It has been announced that the Australian royal commission into the handling of child sex abuse will hold its first public sitting in early April.

In the following weeks and months survivors of child sexual abuse will begin to tell their stories.

A similar series of inquiries rocked Ireland over the past decade.

To say the least the scope of the Australian commission is huge in comparison, ranging from government agencies, religious organisations and schools to foster care and sports clubs.

The timeline is tight, with the commission expected to have completed its duties by the end of 2015.

Will the Australian royal commission be able to emulate the achievements of the Irish inquiries -- and avoid some of the major mistakes?