Sisters of Mercy looking at compensation for abuse

A second disgraced religious order involved in the clerical child abuse scandal agreed today to join the Christian Brothers in reviewing how it should make amends to victims.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen called last night for the 18 congregations shamed in the Ryan report to stump up more money and open new talks on how they can pay.

The Christian Brothers, the worst offenders in church-run institutions, were first to bow to intense pressure and offered to consult with Government officials and put forward a new initiative in six weeks.

Nuns from the Sisters of Mercy were next to offer to look at a possible new redress scheme.

“We look forward to considering ways of addressing the very serious issues that are now before us,” the Sisters of Mercy said.

“This is a profoundly traumatic time for people who were abused in residential care. We will continue to be part of the search for ways of bringing healing to the suffering of people who were with us as children.”

A spokesman for a third order, the Oblates, which ran the notorious Daingean Reformatory in Co Offaly, said Brothers from the congregation were examining their response to the Taoiseach’s initiative.

It is understood they will also agree to look for a new deal.

A controversial agreement to support victims of institutional clerical abuse was struck in 2002 but it forced the 18 orders to hand over property and cash worth only €127m.

The total redress bill is estimated at more than €1.2bn.

One suggested avenue for the new deal would be to create a trust fund for the education and welfare of victims.

The Taoiseach met Cabinet ministers for two hours last night before announcing the Government has accepted all 20 recommendations from the Ryan inquiry, including plans for a memorial inscribed with the 1999 apology delivered by then taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

An assistant Garda commissioner has also been appointed to examine the potential for future prosecutions.