THE COMMISSION to Inquire into Child Abuse has been given another four months to complete its work.
The commission said its investigations had “taken longer than expected”. Work was expected to have concluded by January 31st. However, the commission’s request for more time was approved at Cabinet yesterday and it now has a deadline of May 31st.
The commission was set up on a statutory basis in April 2000 after having been established on an administrative basis in May 1999. It has been examining allegations of abuse of children in reformatories, industrial schools and orphanages run by 18 Catholic religious congregations in the State.
The commissioners said they were “very conscious of the importance and urgency of the report and they appreciate the patience shown by participants and by the public”. Originally known as the Laffoy Commission, its first chairwoman, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, resigned in 2004 and was replaced by Mr Justice Seán Ryan.
