Archbishop to ask priests to contribute to child protection costs

The Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dermot Clifford, has confirmed that he has written to priests in his diocese asking them to contribute to costs associated with child protection.

It follows a newspaper report that clergy in Tipperary and Limerick were being asked to pay up to €720 euro each per year to compensate victims of clerical sex abuse.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Archbishop Clifford did not clarify whether the funds will be used to settle compensation claims.

He suggested that parish priests contribute €60 a month, while curates pay €50 to the fund to pay for what is described as "debts incurred in child protection issues".