Mayo schools in historic abuse report

A number of Mayo schools feature in a shocking report on alleged sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders.

The scoping inquiry has identified 308 schools where the alleged historic abuse took place.

In total, the inquiry found 844 alleged abusers in schools run by 42 religious orders, amounting to nearly 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse.

The report released contains a list of the schools and the number of allegations and alleged abusers at each one. Six Mayo schools feature in the report.

At Ballinrobe CBS, which was run by the Christian Brothers, there were three allegations made against two alleged abusers. Another Christian Brothers school, Westport CBS, had one allegation made against one alleged perpetrator.

St Louis Secondary School, Balla (Sister of St Louis withdrew in the late 70s) and Sacred Heart College, Ballinafad, Belcarra, (Post ¬Primary), operated by the Society of African Missions also had a single allegation made against one alleged abuser.

Castlebar schools St Patrick’s Boy’s National School, and St Gerald’s College (both formerly run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers) each had one allegation made against one alleged abuser.

Mayo Rape Crisis Centre has worked with survivors over the years who have been abused in Mayo schools. “The report and the extent of it is not a surprise to us. This report will now allow other people come forward and have their stories heard. For a lot of people, this report lays bare what they kind of knew but now we see it written down in black and white,” said Nicci Carroll, acting director of Mayo Rape Crisis Centre.

She said abuse has a “life-long impact” on victims. “Some of the excerpts from the report talk about people who couldn’t go to their own loved ones funerals because their abuser was nearby,” said Ms Carroll. “Lives have been ruined,” she added.

Ms Carroll said she believes the report will have a far-reaching impact once the dust settles and more potential victims come forward.

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who wishes to report a crime relating to Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious Orders to contact them. In a statement Gardai said they were fully aware of the profound impact on the lives of those who were subject to such abuse, many of whom who may only be disclosing this information for the first time.

They said they would deal with any matters reported by complainants in a sensitive manner and would where possible, progress matters through investigation. They are also appealing to anyone who may have information, including witnesses, to come forward.