Abuse Commission to make statement on future intentions

The chairman of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is due to make a statement about the commission’s future intentions later today.

Justice Sean Ryan took over as chair of the body last November after his predecessor, Justice Mary Laffoy, resigned in protest at the Government’s attitude to her inquiries.

Justice Ryan is expected to say today that the commission has decided to carry out a general investigation into child abuse allegations rather than examine each allegation on a case-by-case basis.

Justice Laffoy resigned in protest at Government plans to water down the work of the Child Abuse Commission, which was established in 1999.

The Government wanted the commission to investigate only a number of sample cases rather than giving all abuse victims an opportunity to tell their stories, as it was originally set up to do.

Despite opposition to such changes, Justice Ryan is expected to announce today that the commission has decided to take the Government’s preferred course of action in an effort to speed up its investigations.