The report into the handling of allegations of child abuse by priests in the Dublin archdiocese will be before the High Court on September 8. While the report was concluded last month and delivered to the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, the Minister exercised his right under the relevant legislation to seek the advice of the Court on whether or not publication of the report could prejudice the cases of three priests currently before the courts.
The case is due for 'mention' in the High Court on September 8 and a date is then expected to be set for a full hearing on whether or not the report should be published in whole or in part.
If the High Court finds that releasing the report could prejudice any criminal proceedings, it can order that part or all of the report shall not be published until the court cases are completed.
This could mean a lengthy delay before the full report becomes public. The earliest date set for the trial of any of the men is April 2010.
The inquiry, headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy, investigated how child abuse allegations against a representative sample of 46 priests were handled by 19 bishops in Dublin between January 1, 1975, and April 30, 2004.
Seven of the bishops are dead.
The report will name 15 priests, 11 of whom have been convicted in the courts and four who are already widely known.
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