The Archbishop of Dublin has expressed his dismay at the findings of a recent survey which claimed that most Irish people believe one in every five priests is guilty of child sex abuse.



The report, reported by Irish Central, claimed that almost half of those surveyed believe child abuse is rife within the clergy.

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Reacting to the poll, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said: “I am saddened and horrified to see the results of a recent survey which showed how misled people have been about the extent of abuse by priests.



“Some of those questioned for the survey imagined that over 20 percent of priests had abused.



“The horror we all experience at the dreadful reality of abuse in no way justifies such injustice to the entire body of priests in this diocese and in this country.”