A public inquiry has been told that a paedophile priest admitted he may have sexually abused hundreds of children.

It was revealed as the Historical Abuse Inquiry in Northern Ireland began an examination on the activities of Fr Brendan Smyth.

Smyth was at the centre of one of the first paedophile priest scandals to rock the Catholic church here.

The inquiry heard he told a doctor in 1994 that over the years of religious life, he could have sexually abused up to 100 children.

He claimed that number could have been doubled or more.

Smyth was convicted of 117 indecent assaults against 41 children across Ireland.

He died in prison in 1997 after a heart attack.