Ferns Inquiry set to hear testimony from abuse victims

AN inquiry team investigating how a Wexford diocese handled suspicions, rumours and confirmed cases of clerical sexual abuse will begin hearing victims’ testimony on Monday.

As the suggested cut-off date for submissions to the Ferns inquiry was extended yesterday, inquiry secretary, Marian Shanley, said the difficulties being experienced by those involved in the Laffoy Commission has spurred them to make their non-statutory inquiry work even more efficiently.

“We are a very different type of organisation to the Laffoy Commission. The problems there have not impacted on us. What it has done though is give us the impetus to really make our probe work,” she said.