McDowell planning sex abuse audit of all dioceses

Justice Minister Michael McDowell is reportedly planning to order an independent examination of every diocese in the Republic to establish if any serving priests pose a threat to children.

Reports this morning said the examination would run in parallel with the proposed statutory inquiry into the Church's response to allegations of sexual abuse against more than 70 priests in the Dublin archdiocese.

The audit would then recommend whether or not other dioceses should also be the subject of statutory inquiries.

Meanwhile, this morning's reports also said Circuit Court Judge Yvonne Murphy had been asked to chair the inquiry into the Dublin allegations.