Church has paid at least €6m in compensation to abuse victims

Church payments:Catholic dioceses throughout Ireland have so far paid at least €6 million in compensation to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests.

However, the exact figure is likely to be considerably higher as many of the 26 dioceses in the country were yesterday either unable or unwilling to set out the details of settlements reached with victims.

The archdiocese of Dublin has paid the largest amount in compensation, with settlements and legal costs of more than €5 million.

In a statement last night the archdiocese said that to date it had been the subject of 105 civil actions taken by alleged victims of abuse.

The cases concerned 32 priests. The archdiocese said 62 of these had been brought to conclusion.

"With regard to those cases which have been fully settled, the diocese has paid €4.07 million in settlement of claims. A further €1.514 million has been paid in legal costs. This includes the legal costs of both the plaintiffs and the diocese.

"The diocese continues to receive new allegations, almost all of which refer to events which took place many years ago," the statement added.

The diocese of Killaloe said yesterday it had paid around €500,000 in compensation to victims of abuse. It said this payment related to six cases.

The diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois said it had paid €300,000 to victims. This payment related to four victims.

The diocese of Kildare and Leighlin said it had paid €133,835 to one victim.

The diocese of Down and Conor in Northern Ireland, which includes the city of Belfast, said it had paid £102,000 (€150,000) in compensation to 10 victims of abuse.

The diocese of Derry said it had paid £60,000 (€88,195) to three victims.

The diocese of Dromore in Northern Ireland, which includes Newry, said it had paid £40,000 (€58,800) in compensation payments to the victims of child sexual abuse.

The archdiocese of Cashel and Emly in Co Tipperary paid €81,000 in compensation and legal costs to one victim of child sexual.

The diocese of Cork and the diocese of Cloyne said they had paid no compensation.

The Bishop of Clonfert, Dr John Kirby, said he believed that details of any compensation payments were covered by a confidentiality clause. He said he did not have the figures to hand.