Sunday, April 24, 2011

No deal yet on Cloyne abuse report

A report into the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations in the Diocese of Cloyne could be published in May, Justice Minster Alan Shatter said.

Lawyers have yet to agree about redactions in certain sections which could prejudice the possible prosecution of an individual named in the report.

Mr Shatter said the individual's legal team, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice were taking longer than expected to strike a deal.

"I hope it will published early in May but I have to await developments in that regard," he said.

Mr Shatter said the matter may have to go before the High Court again if there is no agreement between the parties involved.

The report centres on allegations of child sexual abuse against 19 clerics operating in the 
Catholic diocese between 1996 and 2009.

Its follows a two-year investigation by Circuit Court judge Yvonne Murphy, who also probed the handling of abuse claims in the Dublin Archdiocese.