Ferns sex abuse victims urged to come forward

The inquiry into alleged clerical child sex abuse in the Catholic diocese of Ferns has called on victims of such abuse to come forward.

The request is contained in advertisements placed in today's newspapers.

It applies to people who have already spoken to barrister George Bermingham, who carried out a preliminary investigation into the abuse allegations to see if a public inquiry was necessary.

The Ferns inquiry, chaired by Justice Francis Murphy, was subsequently established to investigate widespread allegations of sexual abuse by priests in the Co Wexford diocese and claims that church officials attempted to cover up the abuse.

The inquiry has called on victims to present documents and statements to its office no later than September 12.