Three schools in the Northern Sound region have been named in a scoping inquiry into historic sexual abuse.
Over 2,400 allegations, involving 884 alleged abusers, at over 300 schools around the country were included in the report. The inquiry, published yesterday, focuses on historic sexual abuse allegations in schools run by religious orders across the country. 3 schools in Cavan and Monaghan were among those referred to in the report. St Louis Primary School in Clones was one, with 1 allegation of abuse by 1 alleged abuser. 5 allegations of abuse were made in De La Salle national school in Cavan against 2 alleged abusers, while 3 abuse allegations were made against 1 alleged abuser in St Norbert's College, Kilnacrott Abbey. Education Minister Norma Foley praised the bravery of the victims who came forward.
"I want to say sincerely how grateful I am to the survivors who came forward and shared their experiences. They have shown extraordinary courage and what they have contributed is invaluable. The scoping inquiry could not have happened without them and they are absolutely central to the report we are publishing".
A Commission of Investigation has been announced, but a redress scheme recommended in the report has not been decided upon. Co-founder of victims' advocacy group Restore Together, Phillip Feddis says it would be a recognition of the harm caused
"Recognising and admitting that you were responsible, that you need to pay some form of recompense is hugely important. We believe that no amount of money is ever going to give people back their lives. No amount of money is going to account for the pain that's been caused. However, what it will do is demonstrate tangibly who was right and who was wrong.
