'No Names' In Catholic Abuse Report

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has said anyone responsible for abusing children in Catholic-run institutions should be "held to account".

The church's most senior cleric has also apologised for the abuse and neglect inflicted on young children by Catholic priests and nuns.

The harrowing incidents were brought to light following a report by the Child Abuse Commission in the Republic, which yesterday slammed the abuse, but failed to name any of those responsible.

Cardinal Sean Brady, pictured here, was responding to the long-awaited report published on Wednesday which found thousands of boys and girls were abused.

"If there is evidence that could lead to prosecution that should be brought forward," he said.

"Certainly people must be held responsible for their actions."

The Armagh-based Cardinal said: "This report makes it clear that great wrong and hurt were caused to some of the most vulnerable children in our society.

"It documents a shameful catalogue of cruelty, neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children.

"I am profoundly sorry and deeply ashamed that children suffered in such awful ways in these institutions."

He added: "Children deserved better and especially from those caring for them in the name of Jesus Christ."

The report, nine years in the making and covering a period of six decades, also found government inspectors failed to stop beatings, rapes and humiliation.

However, the findings will not be used for criminal prosecutions - in part because the Christian Brothers successfully sued the commission in 2004 to keep the identities of all of its members, dead or alive - unnamed in the report.

As a result, no real names, whether of victims or perpetrators, appear in the final document.

(BMcC/JM)