Poll: Should there be a Tribunal into clerical sexual abuse?

Various commissions have only investigated abuse claims on a diocese-by-diocese basis. Should there be a national overall inquiry?

THE REPORTS into clerical sexual abuse allegations at four Catholic dioceses and three religious orders have prompted Garda investigations into any obstructions of justice.

The reports mean that the majority of Ireland’s 26 Catholic dioceses have been audited at various levels – but a significant number have not yet been investigated to see how they handled any abuse allegations, or how they are upholding recent child safeguarding standards.

Ireland’s history with tribunals is a difficult one: though successive reports have uncovered corruption and mismanagement at various levels of public life, in many eyes they are a frivolous expense given that they cannot directly lead to criminal proceedings.

But given the fact that the handling of abuse allegations in so many religious congregations and dioceses remains unexamined, should Ireland set up a full Tribunal to investigate clerical sexual abuse?

Poll Results:

No (764)

Yes (488)

I don't know (340)

Read: Gardaí examining clerical child sex abuse reports

Column: ‘This wasn’t the Middle Ages, Bishop Kirby, it was the 1990s’

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More