Dublin Archdiocese Child Abuse Inquiry: When to publish?

This month the High Court will be making a decision on whether it is safe to publish the report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse.

A very convenient section under the Commission of Investigation Act 2004 requires the Minister to seek directions from the High Court if the publication of the report might prejudice any criminal proceedings that are pending or in progress.

This section is convenient because it forces a delay in publication and gives the Minister flexibility on exactly when or if the report may be released.

This report is important because it is expected to be very critical of how the hierarchy (four archbishops and 15 bishops) handled sex abuse allegations between 1975 and 2004.

Given the many other crises facing the country it will be interesting to see just when this strongly Catholic minister decides to publish.