The Roman Catholic Church in the Irish Republic is facing police investigation and a public inquiry following allegations that it covered up child abuse by priests.

The investigations have been instigated after a television documentary said the Church had not contacted the authorities about paedophile priests and failed to dismiss some serious offenders.

In many cases offending clergy have been put back into the community in parishes and secondary and primary schools.

Cardinal Desmond Connell, Archbishop of Dublin and head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, and at least six of his bishops are expected to be interviewed by detectives.

So far, more than 2,000 victims, many now living on mainland Britain, have come forward alleging abuse from the early 1970s to the late 90s.

A documentary broadcast last week on RTE's Prime Time detailed cases of abuse by eight priests, of which, the programme claimed, at least six bishops had been aware.

Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, told the Irish parliament "the law of the land applies to all, irrespective of what status they hold".

He added: "When those who perpetrate it (abuse) they are abusing a position of trust, which is why revulsion at clerical sex abuse runs so deep."

Michael McDowell, the Minister for Justice, said: "I am not afraid of the bang of a crozier from any direction. I will follow this where it goes, how high it goes or how low it goes."

He had earlier advised the church that canon law had about the same status as golf club rules.

A new police squad of 28 detectives lead by Det Chief Supt Sean Camon, head of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, has been set up to investigate the matter.

Supt John Farrelly, of the Garda, said: "We will take action against any person, regardless who that person is, that has been obstructing in relation to crime."

Cardinal Connell, 76, who was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals last year, denied he knew anything about the cases, which date to 1974.

Calls for his resignation have increased and last weekend he was heckled by the congregation during Mass.

Cardinal Connell said the church would co-operate fully with an inquiry if it was set up by an "appropriate authority".

In a statement, he said: "Establishing the truth as unambiguously and as objectively as possible is the essential first step in moving beyond this shameful issue."

The church has had its own inquiry investigating allegations of abuse running for the last two years.

"There are those who should be arrested, without a shadow of a doubt," said John Kelly, a victim of clerical sex abuse and founder of a group called Survivors of Child Abuse.

"There is enough evidence to suggest certain bishops obstructed justice, failed to report crimes and corroborated with those who committed crimes."

He added that 400 of the group's 800 members had moved to Britain.

A source at the Ministry of Justice said: "In the coming weeks a public inquiry will be announced. We are taking this very, very seriously. We will be asking whether the church acted appropriately."

Police are asking for victims to contact them, including those resident in Britain.

Dublin's Rape Crisis Centre last night reported a big surge in calls to its 24-hour helpline after the documentary.

The organisation has contacted Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell to seek an urgent meeting to discuss all the issues and concerns raised by the disclosures.

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