The Dublin Archdiocese will have to find a further €6m to fund abuse
compensation at a time when the diocese is experiencing a deep financial
crisis. Figures published by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin reveal that the Church in the capital has so far spent almost €18m settling claims of abuse against 49 priests.
11 priests or former priests of the Archdiocese have been convicted in the criminal courts.
So far, 161 civil actions for compensation have been concluded with €12.5m paid out to alleged victims and €5.4m in legal costs for both sides.
There are still 55 civil actions ongoing which, based on previous settlements and legal costs, will cost the archdiocese more than €6m.
The cost is set to bring fresh focus to the precarious financial situation in Dublin. Earlier this year it emerged that the archdiocese breached employment law when wage cuts were imposed on three workers without their agreement.
However, despite being found to be in the wrong, the commissioner ruled the archdiocese did not have to repay the staff because of the deep financial crisis it was experiencing.
The annual child protection update revealed that the number of Dublin priests against whom an allegation of child sexual abuse has been recorded, has not increased in the past year.
This is the first time this figure has remained static since the archdiocese began publishing annual updates almost 8 years ago.
The number of priests, bishops, parish workers, diocesan staff and ancillary staff in schools who have participated in Garda vetting increased by 6,300 to 32,600 during the last year.