Ireland's Cloyne diocese braces for public report on abuse cases

July 05, 2011

An investigator’s report on sex-abuse problems within Ireland’s Cloyne diocese will be delivered to the government on July 12 and made public soon thereafter, according to the Irish Catholic.

The Cloyne report was commissioned by the government in 2009, after reported emerged that diocesan officials were not following new policies to prevent abuse and discipline clerics accused of molesting children. The publication of the final report has been delayed because of disagreements over which sections should be withheld to avoid complicating the criminal proceedings against some accused priests. Justice Minister Alan Shatter has expressed hopes that the report will now be made public quickly.

The investigation in Cloyne was headed by former Judge Yvonne Murphy, who also chaired an earlier inquirty into sex-abuse complaints in Dublin. The inquiry in Cloyne, however, will cover more recent charges. The final report is expected to be highly critical of Bishop John Magee, who headed the Cloyne diocese until he resigned under heavy criticism in March 2010.

 

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Further information:

• Cloyne abuse report to be published next week (Irish Catholic)
• Cloyne abuse report still delayed (CWN, 6/8)