Priests urge victims to confront abusers

The National Conference of Priests has called on all victims of clerical child sex abuse to report the incidents to the Gardai or health officials.

The organisation, which represents Ireland’s rank and file clergy, said the safety of children is paramount and called for victims to confront their abusers.

Fr John Littleton, a spokesman for the group, said: "I would hope that over the next few months, people will begin to see that we are very, very serious about our efforts and that we are genuinely remorseful for the hurt that some of our colleagues have caused.

"We ask their forgiveness."