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26/05/2009
Bertie's Anti Church Claims 'Appalling', Says Labour
A Labour TD has today called Bertie Ahern's comments regarding the Ryan report on church abuse "despicable".
The Labour spokesman on family affairs, Michael Higgins was speaking after the former Taoiseach suggested politicians were "jumping on the bandwagon" over the affair.
The Labour spokesman is incensed at the comments made by Mr Ahern, when during a Newstalk radio programme on Monday, Mr Ahern said: "You hear politicians hopping on the anti catholic church.
"I think that's sad, most of them were educated by the catholic church, and now here they are just jumping at it and running around wanting to sell catholic schools and churches."
Michael Higgins claimed the former Taoiseach should be reflecting on all of the findings, rather than seeking to "blacken the names of those rightly concerned".
Mr Higgins said: "This is an appalling statement at any time. At the present time, as it seeks to distort the widespread public anger at a deal and an arrangement that was not then, and is not now, in the public interest, it is wholly despicable."
"On the publication of the Ryan Report, members of the public can see what it meant to victims to have to present descriptions of physical abuse, but not sexual abuse, before those deciding on their cases.
"Even then, those who held influence within the conservative parties of government were planning to limit their liability for the consequences of their actions," Mr Higgins said.
(DW/BMcC)
The Labour spokesman on family affairs, Michael Higgins was speaking after the former Taoiseach suggested politicians were "jumping on the bandwagon" over the affair.
The Labour spokesman is incensed at the comments made by Mr Ahern, when during a Newstalk radio programme on Monday, Mr Ahern said: "You hear politicians hopping on the anti catholic church.
"I think that's sad, most of them were educated by the catholic church, and now here they are just jumping at it and running around wanting to sell catholic schools and churches."
Michael Higgins claimed the former Taoiseach should be reflecting on all of the findings, rather than seeking to "blacken the names of those rightly concerned".
Mr Higgins said: "This is an appalling statement at any time. At the present time, as it seeks to distort the widespread public anger at a deal and an arrangement that was not then, and is not now, in the public interest, it is wholly despicable."
"On the publication of the Ryan Report, members of the public can see what it meant to victims to have to present descriptions of physical abuse, but not sexual abuse, before those deciding on their cases.
"Even then, those who held influence within the conservative parties of government were planning to limit their liability for the consequences of their actions," Mr Higgins said.
(DW/BMcC)
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24 April 2013
Church Watchdog Critical Of Former Bishop's Handling Of Abuse Claims
A former bishop has been criticised after a report was published into claims of child abuse allegations and the behaviour of priests. The National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBCS) in the Catholic Church has published audits of many dioceses. Dr Joseph Duffy said he regretted the management of some cases.
Church Watchdog Critical Of Former Bishop's Handling Of Abuse Claims
A former bishop has been criticised after a report was published into claims of child abuse allegations and the behaviour of priests. The National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBCS) in the Catholic Church has published audits of many dioceses. Dr Joseph Duffy said he regretted the management of some cases.
03 June 2015
Former Labour Leader Not Seeking Election Nomination
Former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has announced he is not seeking a nomination as a candidate for the next General Election. In a statement Mr Gilmore said: "It has been an honour to represent the people of Dun Laoghaire for the past 30 years and I am also informing members of the Labour Party, in my constituency of my decision.
Former Labour Leader Not Seeking Election Nomination
Former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has announced he is not seeking a nomination as a candidate for the next General Election. In a statement Mr Gilmore said: "It has been an honour to represent the people of Dun Laoghaire for the past 30 years and I am also informing members of the Labour Party, in my constituency of my decision.
23 February 2011
Catholic Church Could Fall 'Over The Brink'
The Catholic Church could "fall over the brink" and become irrelevant to society, according to the Archbishop of Dublin. In a dramatic speech to the Cambridge Group for Irish Studies in the Magdalene College in Cambridge, Diarmuid Martin said that Catholicism in Ireland was being reduced to a tiny minority and becoming "irrelevant in society".
Catholic Church Could Fall 'Over The Brink'
The Catholic Church could "fall over the brink" and become irrelevant to society, according to the Archbishop of Dublin. In a dramatic speech to the Cambridge Group for Irish Studies in the Magdalene College in Cambridge, Diarmuid Martin said that Catholicism in Ireland was being reduced to a tiny minority and becoming "irrelevant in society".
18 April 2008
Church Owes €50m To Abused Victims
The Catholic Church owes the Government more than €50 million of the compensation promised to victims of clerical sex abuse. The overall compensation package will cost €1.1 billion, but a deal with the religious orders struck with the state limits their liability to €128m. The rest of this figure was agreed to be paid by the Irish taxpayer.
Church Owes €50m To Abused Victims
The Catholic Church owes the Government more than €50 million of the compensation promised to victims of clerical sex abuse. The overall compensation package will cost €1.1 billion, but a deal with the religious orders struck with the state limits their liability to €128m. The rest of this figure was agreed to be paid by the Irish taxpayer.
11 January 2013
Church Sympathy For Rape Victims Not Credible - Labour
Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has stated that the Catholic Church cannot credibly say that it has sympathy and compassion for those pregnant as a result of rape, while it still has not paid the state the €380 million it owes to help compensate victims of child rape, sexual assault and physical abuse.
Church Sympathy For Rape Victims Not Credible - Labour
Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has stated that the Catholic Church cannot credibly say that it has sympathy and compassion for those pregnant as a result of rape, while it still has not paid the state the €380 million it owes to help compensate victims of child rape, sexual assault and physical abuse.
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