Support group condemns Church apology

The One in Four support group for victims of sexual abuse has condemned an apology by the Catholic Church over the Cloyne abuse scandal as 'too little, too late".

The group's comments follow the first public response of the Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady to a damning report into the mishandling of allegations of abuse in the diocese..

Cardinal Brady said there is a duty on those with responsibility for children to implement all guidelines on reporting allegations to the statutory authorities.

He also revealed that he has sought a written commitment from every church leader to implement all statutory guidelines on protecting children from abuse.

One In Four however called for "all discretionary action regarding the safeguarding of children to be removed" from the Catholic Church, saying that it wants all allegations of sexual abuse to be referred instead to the HSE and gardaí.

The sexual abuse support group also renewed its call for the Bishop of Cloyne to resign.