Six Westmeath schools named in sexual abuse report

Six Westmeath schools have been named in the report on allegations of sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders.

Fourteen allegations of abuse were disclosed against two alleged abusers at Mullingar CBS (Primary), which was run by the Christian Broters; 11 allegations were made against three alleged abusers at the Carmelite College (Post Primary) in Moate, which was run by the Carmelite Fathers; and five allegations were made against one alleged abuser at Scoil Mhuire Buachailli NS in Athlone, which was run by the Marist Brothers.

An allegation of abuse was also made against one alleged abuser at St Mary's Special School in Southhill, Delvin, which was run by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary. An allegation was also made about one alleged abuser at St Camilus Juniorate in Killucan, which was run by the Order of St Camillians. The report also features an allegation against an alleged abuser from Our Lady's Hermitage, a boarding school in Athlone that was run by the Marist Brothers.

In total, 308 schools run by religious orders have been named in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. The 700 page report, which was published on Tuesday, includes a school by school breakdown of 2,395 allegations of abuse by 884 alleged abusers . It also includes detailed reports of sexual abuse given by victims, which are deeply distressing to read.

The majority of participants who completed the questionnaire reported that they were sexually abused in the 1960s and 1970s, with the peak occurring between 19701 and 1975 followed by a steady decline in reported instances of sexual abuse.

Following the publication of the report, which was written by Mary O'Toole SC, Minister for Education Norma Foley announced that a Commission of Investigation is to be established, following a recommendation in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

Minister Foley also paid tribute to the abuse survivors who participated in the inquiry.

“The Report of the Scoping Inquiry is a harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling accounts of sexual abuse. The scale and horror of what people described in their interviews with the Scoping Inquiry is shocking, and the lasting impact on the lives of those survivors cannot be overstated. I have been deeply moved by the courage, fortitude and openness of all those who have shared their experiences.

“I am thinking of all those who came forward today as part of the Scoping Inquiry process and indeed those who are not in a position to do so at this point in their lives.

“...One of the most compelling aspects of the Report is that older participants provided devastating accounts of how sexual abuse in childhood has affected their entire lives, from their schooldays through adolescence, early adulthood and right through to later years.

“I am pleased to note that the report states that current child protection measures in schools are robust and effective and I am conscious that the safety of children today is a matter of paramount concern to survivors and all of society.”