Third of Church property to be still handed over

Nearly a decade after the controversial indemnity deal for religious orders was signed, only two thirds of properties agreed have been legally handed to the State as part of the compensation agreement for abuse victims.

Latest figures show that 40 of the agreed 61 lands and buildings were legally transferred to the State by last month. The slow negotiations saw only three extra properties transferred across during the last six months.

So far, just 65% of properties worth €40.9 million under the deal, have been transferred to the State by religious orders. The agreement was originally signed on June 5, 2002.