Gardaí issue statement after investigation reports child sexual abuse in schools across Laois

An Garda Síochána is appealing to anyone who wishes to report a crime related to past sexual abuse in day schools and boarding schools run by religious orders.

In a statement this morning, Thursday, September 5, after theDetails of the alleged past sexual abuse emerged this week. A spokesman for An Garda Síochána said: “An Garda Síochána will treat all matters reported by complainants sensitively and will progress matters through investigation where possible.”

“While it is our responsibility to deal effectively with all complaints and information received, there are some cases where we are limited in what we can do, for example where evidence has not been available for an extended period of time or where suspects and/or witnesses have died. Where these factors exist, An Garda Síochána will carefully explain these limitations to complainants.

“The Garda National Protective Service Bureau will retain oversight of these investigations. The investigations will be conducted by specially trained Gardaí assigned to Divisional Protective Service Units in each Garda Division in the country.

“The Garda Síochána also appeals to anyone with information, including witnesses, about crimes of historical sexual abuse in religious day and boarding schools to contact them so that these crimes can be investigated.”

Throughout County Laois, schoolchildren have allegedly been sexually abused in schools run by religious orders.

Details of the past sexual abuse were revealed in the inquiry's report by senior legal counsel Mary O'Toole.

The study involved victims of abuse who reported being victims of abuse while attending seven schools in Laois between 1927 and 2013.

It contained allegations from at least ten people who said they had been sexually abused by at least six different perpetrators while attending religious schools in Laois.

Three of the schools named in the report were run by the Christian Brothers. In Portlaoise, one allegation was made against an alleged abuser at Christian Brothers Primary School, while one allegation was made against an individual at Christian Brothers Secondary in Portlaoise.

Two allegations have been made against an alleged abuser at Christian Brothers Portarlington CBS Primary School.

In Portarlington, three allegations were also made against three people at Colaiste Iosagain Secondary School, which is run by the Presentation Sisters congregation.

Elsewhere, there were two allegations against two alleged abusers at Mountrath Community School, which was under the joint auspices of the Brigidine Sisters (CSB)/Patrician Brothers.

There were four allegations relating to an alleged abuser at Don Bosco Salesian College in Ballinakill (which became Heywood Community School in 1990).

One or more allegations were also made against Ballyfin College in Ballyfin, run by the Patrician Brothers. However, no breakdown was given for the Patrician Brothers' schools. The investigation found that there were 21 allegations against 18 alleged abusers at ten schools under the Patrician Brothers' auspices.

At a national level, the Commission of Inquiry received approximately 2,395 allegations of past sexual abuse involving 884 alleged perpetrators in 308 schools across the country between 1927 and 2013. Most of these allegations emerged from the records of approximately 42 religious orders which currently or formerly operated schools in Ireland.

Education Minister Norma Foley has announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry. This follows a recommendation in the report of the commission of inquiry into past sexual abuse at day schools and boarding schools run by religious orders.

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The establishment of a government inquiry into past sexual abuse is one of many recommendations made by Senior Legal Counsel Mary O'Toole in her report to the Minister.

The Scoping Inquiry organised a survivor engagement process in which victims of sexual abuse in religious day and boarding schools were given the opportunity to speak out and share their views on an appropriate state response.

Participants reported experiences of sexual abuse in public and private elementary schools, secondary schools and special schools run by religious orders across the country.

“One of the most compelling aspects of the report is that the older participants provided devastating accounts of how childhood sexual abuse impacted their entire lives, from school years through adolescence and early adulthood and into later years. “I am pleased to note that the report finds that current child protection measures in schools are robust and effective, and I recognise that child safety is an issue of paramount importance to survivors and to society as a whole today,” said Minister Foley.

The investigation report also recommends that the government consider establishing a compensation program for survivors of sexual abuse in day schools and boarding schools run by religious orders.

Further recommendations relate to improving the experience of survivors in legal proceedings and establishing dedicated support services for survivors, particularly in relation to the Commission and possible participation in this process.

One in Four provides support for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by telephone on 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact.