national

Clergy must waive legal fees claim - Victims

Survivors of clerical abuse are calling on religious orders criticised in the Ryan report to waive their right to reclaim legal fees following an appearance before the inquiry

The Department of Finance was notified that the orders have applied to have their massive legal bills arising from the Ryan inquiry covered by the taxpayer.

It is thought their legal costs could far exceed €40m.

Published in May 2009, the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse chaired by Mr Justice Sean Ryan detailed horrific abuse perpetrated by religious orders in state and church run institutions over several decades.

Meanwhile senior Catholic clergy are to meet survivors of clerical abuse today ahead of their visit to Rome to discuss the fallout of the Ryan report as well as the Murphy report into abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese..