Ryan to aid abuse probe in Australia

The High Court judge who led the investigation into institutional abuse in Ireland has advised the Australian government on how best to probe wide- spread child abuse there.

Australian authorities have begun an investigation not only into abuse in the Church and state-run institutions but also other private institutions such as the boy scouts and sports clubs.

The investigation has been sparked by the allegations of a senior police officer, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, who claims the Church covered up crimes of paedophile priests, silenced investigations, and destroyed evidence.