This section is reprinted from Irish Independent, March 29, 2006. Author is John Cooney, Religious Affairs Correspondent. View original link at http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1589903&issue_id=13864

The next Government will deal with the findings of the €4.5m inquiry into sample cases of clerical child sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese.

Yesterday's Cabinet meeting finalised the order giving the Circuit Court Judge, Yvonne Murphy, the official go-ahead for her 18-month probe into the country's largest diocese.

The five-month delay since the commission was first announced means that the Fianna Fail-PD coalition has kicked ultimate political responsibility to its successor for taking action on Judge Murphy's eventual conclusions.

Her investigation into clerical sex abuse allegations from January 1, 1975 to May 1, 2004 begins today in private, with its headquarters based in Dublin's Fitzwilliam Square.

It is expected to be more extensive, significant and shocking than last October's Ferns Inquiry, which provoked a massive public outcry over the scale of past church cover-ups of priest rapists.

Last night, the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, renewed his pledge that Judge Murphy would have full co-operation in her work, which would be "vitally important" - especially for those who suffered abuse in the past as well as for the priests and people of the diocese. "I can appreciate that many will find this process difficult and distressing," Dr Martin said in a statement.

"I urge all who need it to avail of the support services - either in the diocese or from an agency of their choice."

Earlier this month, Dr Martin revealed that an independent diocesan audit found 102 priests in the Dublin diocese had been accused or suspected of sexually abusing 390 child victims since 1940 - the year Archbishop John Charles McQuaid took office.

Key churchmen to be interviewed will be 80-year-old Cardinal Desmond Connell, who was Archbishop from 1988 to 2004, and senior diocesan officials who held office in Drumcondra during the episcopates of late Archbishops Dermot Ryan and Kevin McNamara.

Support

Last night, Dr Martin offered "appropriate support to those priests and diocesan staff who may have dealings with the commission, as their evidence and full co-operation will be of crucial significance".

Colm O'Gorman, the head of the One in Four Victims' Group, welcomed the fact that the investigation - first promised in October 2002 after the RTE documentary programme 'Cardinal Secrets' highlighted eight major abusers, including Fathers Ivan Payne, Tony Walsh and Paul McGennis - was finally up and running.

Mr O' Gorman told the Irish Independent many victims of Dublin priests had felt frustrated by the delay but were prepared to give evidence to the inquiry.

Judge Murphy will be assisted by barrister Ita Mangan and solicitor Hugh O'Neill, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said after the cabinet meeting.

A projected €4.5m has been allocated from the budget of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

© Irish Independent