'We are deeply sorry' - Prominent school in Tipperary named in historical sexual abuse report

Rockwell College in Cashel, co Tipperary, has been named in the report on allegations of sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders.

The 700-page damning report, released on Tuesday, names 308 schools across the country where a total of 2,395 allegations of historical abuse against 884 alleged abusers were reported.

The scoping inquiry from the Government revealed it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in the State, adding that approximately half of the alleged abusers are now believed to be dead.

60 allegations of abuse against 18 alleged abusers were reported at Rockwell College in Cashel, run by the Spiritans, an International Roman Catholic Congregation.

Schools in Dublin, Limerick and Cork have also been named in the report including schools run the The Christian Brothers, The Congregation of Sisters of Mercy, The Carmelite Fathers, and the Jesuits.

The allegations of abuse goes back as far as the 1970s.

The report, written by senior counsel Mary O'Toole, who was appointed by the Minister for Education Norma Foley, has recommended that the Government approach the religious orders to contribute towards a redress scheme.

In 2023, the Spiritan Congregation apologised to victims of abuse and that an independent group would engage with survivors at its schools and institutions. 

Meanwhile, the representative body for Catholic orders across the country has issued an apology, stating it is "deeply sorry" for the abuse that victims experienced in these schools and that it "welcomes" the publication of the report.

A spokesperson for the Association of Leaders and Missionaries and Religious Orders of Ireland (AMRI) has 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"