Justice delayed - Redress cases

Yesterday’s decision by an Australian court that Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell must face trial on charges of historical sexual offences makes him the most senior Catholic official to be tried on such allegations. He pleaded not guilty but the decision is a reminder that these scandals cannot be filed away in the archives just yet.

A Dáil protest today underlines one more time how very difficult it is to reach closure on these matters. The January 2014 ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of abuse victim Louise O’Keeffe was the culmination of more than 30 years of legal struggle. It was believed then that her case would be a template in the redress process but that has not been that case. The disappointment this provokes adds to the bitterness caused by the State’s intimidation of potential litigants, warning them to drop cases saying they would be pursued for costs if their actions failed.