Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Victims’ advocate Christine Buckley has described yesterday’s statement by religious congregations reiterating their commitment to working with victims of abuse as “an emotional stunt” designed to maintain control over the vulnerable people who were abused in their institutions.

Ms Buckley, who is director of the Aislinn Centre which helps people who suffered abuse as children, said the congregations had not even adhered to what they were supposed to pay in the original indemnity deal agreed in 2002.