More than 300 allegations of historical sexual abuse in Cork schools detailed in national report

More than 300 allegations of sexual abuse in Cork schools are included in a national report on allegations of historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders in Ireland.

The Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders, which was published on Tuesday and was described by Education Minister Norma Foley as “shocking, truly shocking”, contains almost 2,400 allegations of abuse.

The investigation, led by senior counsel Mary O’Toole, said claims were made about 884 alleged abusers in 308 day and boarding schools run by 42 Catholic religious orders across the country.

The scoping inquiry said it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in Ireland, with 42 having records of historical sexual abuse allegations.

Some 137 people who participated in the inquiry completed in-person interviews, while 12 provided written submissions.

Most of those who took part were men aged in their 50s and 60s.

The inquiry was launched in 2023. It followed an RTÉ Radio documentary that highlighted historic sexual abuse at the fee-paying Blackrock College in Dublin.

Some 57 people have alleged they were abused there.

In November 2022, the Spiritans in Ireland, which ran Blackrock College, apologised to all victims.

The report contains allegations against orders including the Jesuits, the Carmelite Fathers, the Christian Brothers, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Some 17 special schools recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers, among them 63 allegations made against 44 alleged abusers at St Mary’s School for Deaf Girls in Cabra, Dublin.

The report contains 166 allegations against 50 alleged abusers at the Brothers of Charity’s Lota in Glanmire; 130 allegations against 24 alleged abusers at the Spiritans-run Willow Park Junior School in Blackrock, Dublin; and 60 allegations against 18 alleged abusers at Rockwell College in Cashel, Tipperary, also run by the Spiritans.

After the allegations regarding Lota, the highest number of allegations relating to a Cork school concern Coláiste an Chroí Naofa, Carrignavar, run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, where there are 42 allegations against four alleged abusers.

Also in Cork, there are 19 allegations against 10 alleged abusers at the North Monastery Christian Brothers School (secondary); 16 allegations against five alleged abusers at Blarney St Christian Brothers School; and nine allegations against two alleged abusers at the Brothers of Charity St Mary’s, Rochestown.

The report, which runs to 700 pages, contains harrowing testimony of horrific abuse in graphic detail and reveals the lifelong damage inflicted upon children.

“Many said that their childhood stopped the day the abuse started,” the report states.

Speaking in Cork on Tuesday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he had been shocked by the contents of the report — noting that it had come as part of “a long litany of abuse inquiries” over the past quarter century.

“The level of abuse revealed in yesterday’s inquiry is very shocking, very sad, and traumatic for those involved, and the Government will do everything we possibly can to have a victim-led inquiry and also to work on the other recommendations with a view to supporting the victims in every way we can,” Mr Martin said.

He said he had been speaking with Education Minister Norma Foley, and they would be looking at all of the recommendations of the report.

Speaking in Ukraine, Taoiseach Simon Harris called on religious orders to “step up” in providing redress for victims of historical sexual abuse.

“As the minister for education said last night, redress has to be a part of the overall offering and consideration the Government gives to this matter,” he said.

Responding to the report, the representative body for Catholic orders across Ireland said it was “deeply sorry” that victims had experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland (AMRI) said it acknowledged the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors, adding that it was “acutely aware” that sharing traumatic experiences could cause additional pain and suffering.

“We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure,” the organisation stated.

“AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest co-operation in this inquiry.

“We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.

“Religious orders and congregations continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors.”

It added that support was available for victims, including access to funded counselling and therapeutic services, and it encouraged anyone needing support to contact the individual religious orders and congregations to get the help they need.

Full list of Cork schools named in abuse allegations report

Helplines

In response to the publication of the report, the telephone-based counselling service Connect is extending its service opening hours for the coming month.

The HSE-funded service, which provides professional telephone-based counselling to survivors of abuse at freephone 1800 477 477, will open from 5pm-9pm every evening until Tuesday, October 8.

The organisation One in Four provides services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by calling 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact.

The HSE’s National Counselling Service provides a professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service to people aged 18 or older who experienced childhood abuse. Access to the service can be made by self-referral or referral by a GP. The service is available in all HSE health regions.

Rape Crisis Centre offers a free and confidential listening and support service for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed, or sexually abused at any time in their lives. 24-hour National Helpline: 1800 77 88 88 Email: counselling@rcc.ie (office hours)

An Garda Síochána Child Sexual Abuse Freephone is a 24-hour line for reporting a complaint of child sexual abuse: 1800 555 222.

Samaritans is available for confidential, non-judgmental, listening support. You can call or email Samaritans anytime, day and night. Freephone: 116 123; email: jo@samaritans.ie; website: samaritans.ie.

Pieta provides counselling at their centres nationwide and telephone support. Their services are for people who are at risk of suicide or self-harm, along with people who have been bereaved by suicide. Freephone 1800 247 247 anytime, day or night, text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply), or visit www.pieta.ie for more.

Text About It is a free text service providing emotional support to anyone experiencing a crisis, through engagement in a text conversation with a trained and supervised volunteer. Text ‘HELLO’ to 50808 to start a conversation or visit www.textaboutit.ie for more information

Anyone who wishes to report an allegation of sexual abuse can contact their local Garda station, the Garda Sexual Crime Management Unit (01-6663430), or the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line (1800 555 222) — which is a confidential and free service available on a 24/7 basis. Alternatively, they can email GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie.