Protests at cathedrals across the country

Members of the group "Irish Survivors of Child Abuse" have held silent protests outside cathedrals across Ireland this morning.

They handed out leaflets to church-goers stating "No representation, No donation", in an attempt to highlight the use of church donation money.

The group claims that money collected in churches is being used to frustrate a legal investigation into claims of child abuse.

Spokesperson for the group John Kelly said people offended by the current clerical sexual abuse scandal in Ireland, should refrain from donating to church collections today:

He said: "In short what we're saying to the public is that if they disagree with the church and how religious in general are handling paedophile scandals, do not put money into the plate or indeed in any other shape or form."