OF THE 2,395 allegations of historic child rape and sexual abuse in religious-run schools nationwide revealed this week in the shocking Scoping Inquiry report, 158 allegations were revealed relating to 47 abusers in 16 Limerick schools.
The government’s long-awaited report, titled the Scoping Inquiry, into child sex abuse at religious-run boarding and day schools was sparked by shocking revelations of systemic abuse by the Spiritan order at Blackrock College.
The majority of the allegations revealed this week regarding Limerick institutions are made against schools run by the Christian Brothers.
The report outlines 55 allegations of harrowing abuse by at least five different paedophiles at Creagh Lane, CBS (amalgamated with St Senan’s CBS primary).
51 allegations relate to seven alleged abusers at CBS primary school on Sexton Street.
182 survivors nationally recounted the allegations of being molested, stripped naked, raped, and drugged amidst an atmosphere of terror.
Gardaí have been briefed on the contents of the report, which shows widespread child sexual abuse between 1960s and 1990s.
The allegations are recounted across 700 pages of the report headed by senior counsel Mary O’Toole.
Survivors said the abuse they suffered led to mental health issues in adulthood such as anxiety or depression, addiction issues, homelessness, and self harm.
The report outlines how children went to extreme lengths to try to avoid going back to school and back to the abuse. One boy spent his entire summer holiday finding a spot on the road near his house where he would be sure he would be hit by a car if he threw himself in front of it.
In their own words, featured in the report, survivors spoke out. On one of his first nights in a school, one said he witnessed a boy being raped by two priests in his dorm while others were sleeping. The victim was beaten unconscious as the abusers each took turns with him.
The participant reported that subsequently he himself was “taken from his bed at night, wrapped in a cloak of some sort, gagged and raped”.
One alleged victim described their abuser as an “evil man”, saying that “any of the boys sitting along the front of the class, he used to sit with his legs between theirs and put his hand up their pants.”
The report recommended a commission of investigation be set up, which the government has agreed to, however, according to the report, survivors have said they want a non-adversarial process but are also keen that the commission is heard public.
The report also recounted that there should also be a survivor engagement programme, which would give witnesses who cannot or do not want to give evidence before a commission the chance to “recount their experiences on a confidential basis and in a wholly non-adversarial environment”.
This would allow the families of survivors who have died a voice to explain the impact the abuse has had on their loved one and their families.
While the majority of religious orders have indicated they were willing “at least in principle” to co-operate with an inquiry, there is concern that they will likely try to put conditions or caveats in respect of their co-operation.
Some religious orders have complained that the report was too narrowly focused on religious-run schools. In response to this, the report recommended that the State consider expanding the terms of a commission of investigation to include non-religious schools.
The report has recommended that the government ask religious orders to contribute to a redress fund.
Education Minister Norma Foley said there was a “moral obligation” on the religious orders to contribute to compensation.
Launching the report onTuesday, Minister Foley said that “our schools should be places of haven, not horror”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris vowed justice for victims, offering that, “on behalf of the government, we will get this right”.
The full list of schools where one or more allegations were made against one or more abusers in Limerick includes:
The full list of schools where one or more allegations were made against one or more abusers in Limerick includes:
Benedictines
Glenstal Abbey School, Murroe (post-primary)
Total Number of Allegations 6
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 4
Christian Brothers
Creagh Lane CBS (amalgamated with St Senan’s CBS) (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 55
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 5
Sexton Street CBS (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 51
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 7
St Munchin’s CBS, Hassett’s Cross (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 5
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 5
St Kieran’s CBS, Galvone (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 5
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 1
St John the Baptist CBS, Limerick (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 4
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 3
Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Road (secondary)
Total Number of Allegations 3
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 3
Adare CBS (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 1
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 1
Doon CBS (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 1
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 1
Sexton Street CBS (secondary)
Total Number of Allegations 1
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 1
Congregation of the Presentation Sisters
Our Lady Queen of Peace, Janesboro (primary)
Total Number of Allegations 2
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 1
De La Salle Brothers
De La Salle NS, Hospital
Total Number of Allegations 2
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 2
Jesuits
Crescent Comprehensive (previously Sacred Heart College until 1969/70) (post-primary)
Total Number of Allegations 12
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 6
Mungret (Closed 1974), Limerick (postprimary)
Total Number of Allegations 6
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 3
Salesians of Don Bosco
Salesian College, Pallaskenry (postprimary)
Total Number of Allegations 2
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 2
Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle
Kilmallock Secondary (Now Colaiste Iosaef) Community/Comprehensive School
Total Number of Allegations 2
Total Number of Alleged Abusers 2
If you have been affected by the contents of this article, the One in Four organisation 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.
With additional reporting by David Raleigh.
