Barrister Ryan new chair of child abuse commission

The Government has appointed barrister Sean Ryan as the new chair of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.

Mr Ryan will replace Justice Mary Laffoy, who resigned the position last month in protest at the Government’s plans to change the remit of the commission.

The Government said today that it also planned to appoint Mr Ryan as a High Court judge as part of plans to increase the number of High Court judges in Ireland.

It also said it had already ordered the barrister to carry out a review of the child abuse commission with a view to reducing the timetable and cost of the inquiry.

The Government’s previous cost-cutting plan was one of the main reasons for the resignation of Justice Laffoy, who also accused the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition of obstructing and delaying her work.

Aislinn, a support group for abuse victims, has welcomed Mr Ryan’s appointment, saying he was a good listener and had been sympathetic in previous meetings with the organisation.