€7.8m paid by Dublin diocese for sex abuse claims

SOME €7.8 million has been paid out by the Archdiocese of Dublin in settlement of sex abuse claims, according to newly released figures.

The number of priests against whom allegations have been made has jumped from 102 last year to 147 at present.

Eight priests of the diocese have been convicted in the criminal courts and three priests, who have been the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse are currently before the courts.