Bishops agree to independent audit of Irish dioceses

Catholic Bishops have agreed to establish an independent audit of all Irish dioceses to establish the extent of information which exists regarding clerical child sex abuse.

The move was announced following an extraordinary general meeting of the Bishops in Maynooth, Co Kildare, last night.

Archbishop Sean Brady said the move is the first step in a process that the Bishops hope will uncover the truth about child sex abuse and paedophile priests.

Paul Bailey, the director of the Catholic Child Protection Office, said the aim of the audit is to prevent clerical abuse from ever happening again.