Over 60 sexual abuse allegations made against religious orders in Kildare

A TOTAL of 65 children and teens were allegedly sexually abused by 31 individuals in Kildare schools run by religious orders over the period they operated in the county.

Though shocking as a standalone figure, it pales beside the national figure of 2,395 victims across the 82 Orders who operated within the State.

Of the 65 victims in Kildare, almost half (30) were alleged to have been abused in one school – Dominican College, Newbridge – by just nine Brothers, a further 19 in Clongowes were abused by 12 Jesuits, and a further 10 in the Naas CBS primary school by four Brothers.

(For perspective, the Kildare total is 24 less than the total for the worst school in Ireland - horrific, Carmelite-run Terenure College where there were 89 pupils abused by just 11 perpetrators.) The other six Kildare victims were scattered throughout four schools, with three victims and three abusers in Athy CBS primary school, while the CBS Secondary and De la Salle (both Naas), and Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip (Presentation Sisters) all recorded just one victim each.

There were outstanding schools from the document who, individually, reported no figures as their respective Orders chose only to release total figures from all of their institutions instead.

These were the two Sisters of Mercy convents in Naas and Athy, the Patricians in Newbridge, and the John of God Order, who ran St Raphael’s Special School in Celbridge.

Respectively, their State total figures released were 44 victims from 33 abusers, 21-18, and 144-36.

This all came to light in the recently released ‘Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders’ which came out last week, about which Bishop Denis Nulty has said: “I am appalled at the level of depravity of abuse outlined”.

“It is not easy reading, [because] behind every sentence, paragraph, and page is someone who as a child suffered hugely in the very place where they should have felt safe,” he added.

“While we have become accustomed to reports in recent years, it is worthwhile to bring all of them together to help us appreciate, and seek to respond to the extent and seriousness of this epidemic that has plagued Irish society for far too long.

“Church schools should always lead by word and above all by example on how to look after children in their care and particularly children with special needs.

“I realise schools in the diocese, at both primary and post primary level, feature in the Report, and I know this is very upsetting to current staff, students and families.

“As Bishop, I want to assure everyone of the robust safeguarding protocols that permeate every aspect of school life today.

“I also know for survivors and victims, the assurance of these safeguarding protocols, by no means lessens the pain and suffering caused in the past".

The sobering 218-page document had its final 18 pages alone to list every religious school in the State which sinned egregiously against our youth.