State to pocket €238m of abuse redress

THE TAOISEACH Brian Cowen told victims of institutional child abuse that the state intends keeping two-thirds of the extra €348.5 million in redress that it has just secured from religious orders.

Victims’ groups met with Mr Cowen and top government ministers at a meeting last night. They described themselves as “shellshocked” by the Government’s decision.

It is reported that former Mayor of Clonmel and Fianna Fáil councillor Michael O’Brien and a number of other abuse victims walked out of the meeting in disgust.