Following the popular Irish television programme Prime Time which aired in Ireland on RTÉ One on Tuesday night, comes a new debate on the controversial sex abuse by Irish priests.

The programme exposed a number of sex abuse cases involving Irish priests who now reside in Africa.

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the law does provide in the Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act, 1996, that in certain circumstances persons can be tried here for sexual offences against a child which are committed abroad, reports Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).

Fr Eamon Aylward of the Irish Missionary Union tells RTE in relation to informing African authorities of abuse, "that would be complex and would depend on individual cases as questions regarding the ethos of different cultures can arise."

The Garda Commissioner has appointed a superintendent to examine whether criminal prosecutions can be brought against Irish priests accused of sexual abuse in Africa, reports Newstalk.

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