Abuse victim’s bill could top €1bn

THE final bill for the compensation of abuse victims in religious institutions could hit €1 billion, the taxpayer’s watchdog confirmed yesterday.

In a hard hitting report into the indemnity deal struck between the Government and the religious orders, the State financial investigator revealed former Minister for Education Michael Woods went into some negotiations without legal advisors present.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, then the Attorney General, was not represented at these meetings.