Martin: Complaints will not go away

ARCHBISHOP Diarmuid Martin has warned that complaints by people abused as children in religious-run day schools – which are not covered by the Redress Board – will not go away.

He was speaking after Freedom of Information documents revealed the orders tried to extend their 2002 indemnity deal beyond residential institutions.

If they had succeeded, their contribution of just €128 million to a redress bill that has so far cost the state in excess of €1 billion would have been intended to cover many more institutions.

Dr Martin said: “I am told that the aim was to try and extend the indemnity process, particularly to day schools, but it did not get a warm reception... I think that group of survivors is going to continually reappear until their problems are addressed.”

The documents also show the Government dramatically changed its mind about the way religious owned properties were to be transferred as part of the €128m cash and buildings package.

After insisting the properties go to the state, they backed down, without apparent explanation, and said some could go to charities instead as has since happened.