Cloyne inquiry given extension

THE inquiry into child abuse by priests in the Cloyne diocese has been given until the end of the year to complete its report.

It had been envisaged the investigation commission would finish its work by July but this proved impossible.

And yesterday the Cabinet agreed to allow it to continue working until December 31.

This was primarily because of delays in finalising the associated investigation into clerical child abuse in the Dublin Diocese.

The imminent publication of the Dublin inquiry has been promised on numerous occasions but it has yet to be released.

This delay has prevented the commission from turning its attention to Cloyne.

After scandals late last year and the exposure of unacceptable child protection practices in Cloyne, Children’s Minister Barry Andrews opted to include an investigation into the abuses as an addition to the more extensive Dublin inquiry.

A spokesman for the minister said that when the inquiry was initially ordered it was understood the Dublin report was nearing completion and the timeline was set accordingly.