Published Tuesday, 15 December 2009
The Government has granted investigators until June 30 next year to examine how the Diocese of Cloyne handled allegations against clerics.
A state Commission, which last month exposed abuse and cover-ups by the Catholic hierarchy in the Dublin Archdiocese, was asked to widen its work to include Cloyne.
It had been hoped the investigation, which is looking at secret files in parishes in Co Cork, would be complete in the next few weeks.
Minister for Children Barry Andrews called in the Commission last January after a nationwide audit into the Catholic Church's adherence to child protection measures.
Bishop of Cloyne John Magee was replaced in March after the review found the diocese had responded inappropriately to sex abuse allegations and had put children at risk.
Pope Benedict is to write to practising Irish Catholics about sex abuse and the Vatican's response.
Six months ago the Ryan report catalogued extensive psychological, physical and sexual abuse in Church-run state institutions over several decades.