This section is reprinted from The Irish Times, March 8, 2006. Author is Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent. View original link at http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2006/0308/2369466056HM1DUBLINABUSE.html

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.

The figures follow an independent review of the files of over 2,800 priests: 1,350 diocesan priests and 1,450 from religious congregations or other dioceses identified as holding an appointment in Dublin between 1940 and 2006.

Figures released by the archdiocese last October indicated that 67 priests there in those years faced allegations of child sex abuse over the same period. However, its update yesterday also includes figures for priests from religious congregations and other dioceses, 23 of whom have been accused of child sex abuse while serving in Dublin. A further four of the latter have had suspicions of such abuse raised about them.

Meanwhile, one more priest of the archdiocese faces allegations of such abuse while a further seven have had suspicions raised about them. Criminal convictions have been brought against eight priests in Dublin while, to date, 105 civil actions have been brought against 32 priests there. Sixty-five actions have been settled, with 40 ongoing.

Settlements total €5.8 million (including €1.7 in legal costs for both sides) while, since 2003, the archdiocese has invested €2.5 million in child-protection services.

Before the Ferns inquiry, it was known publicly that allegations of child sex abuse had been made against five priests of that diocese. At its conclusion last October, the figure had risen to 26 priests, 20 of whom had allegations against them fully investigated by the inquiry, while more than 100 victims gave evidence.

Allegations against the six priests not fully investigated were uncovered late in the Ferns inquiry process and, as the new cases would not have a bearing on the inquiry's conclusions, it was decided to go ahead with its final report.

© The Irish Times