Catholic leaders 'deeply sorry' for wide-spread abuse in religious schools that 'could not possibly have gone unnoticed'

The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland (AMRI), the representative body for Catholic orders across Ireland, has expressed deep regret over the abuse victims suffered in religious-run schools .

The abuse was revealed in a "harrowing" report uncovering "shocking" abuse and "ferocious violence" at religious-run schools in Ireland.

The AMRI has welcomed the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into historical sexual abuse in Catholic-run schools from 1927 to April 2023, which reviewed allegations made against religious, lay staff, and clergy.

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An AMRI spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors. We are deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

"We are acutely aware that sharing personal, sensitive, and traumatic experiences can 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.

"AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this Inquiry. We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly."

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The report, released on Tuesday, uncovered nearly 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse across hundreds of Ireland's religious orders.

The extensive 700-page document recorded 2,395 allegations of historical child sexual abuse involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across the country. The report poignantly stated that "many childhoods stopped the day the abuse started".

Education Minister Norma Foley described the report as a "This is a harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling counts of sexual abuse."

The majority of the allegations were reported from the records of 42 religious orders that currently run or previously ran schools in Ireland. Seventeen special schools recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.

The allegations span from 1927-2013. The investigation found there were 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of Ireland.

More than half the men accused which include teachers and priests have died, it said.

Those interviewed for the scoping inquiry described being molested, stripped and drugged in "an atmosphere of terror and silence."

The abuse was considered "so pervasive that it could not possibly have gone unnoticed by other staff, and the members and leadership of the religious orders".

Such was the level of their trauma that some abstained from attending funerals or family events, unfettered by the thought of setting foot in a church. The inquiry shone a light on accounts from 149 survivors, predominantly being male individuals in their 50s and 60s.

Spearheaded by eminent lawyer Mary O'Toole, the probing review concluded with key recommendations proffered to the government when the findings were handed over to Foley in June.

Integral among these suggestions was the establishment of an investigative body into the abuse and a motion for the government to press religious orders for contributions towards a compensation scheme.

The victims and survivors were described as "extraordinarily courageous" by Foley, who added: "I have been deeply moved by the courage, fortitude and openness of all those who have shared their experiences."

The inquiry was initiated in 2022 following RTE's exposure of historic sexual abuse at Blackrock College, Dublin . The school, which has hosted numerous Irish internationals and leading businessmen, is alleged to have been the site of abuse for fifty-seven individuals.