Raphoe Diocese say 'never again' as three Donegal schools named on Scoping Inquiry

Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, on behalf of the Diocese of Raphoe, has vowed that history must never repeat itself following the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into Abuse at Schools Run by Religious Orders.

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

De La Salle NS, Ballyshannon, which closed in 1973, had three allegations and three alleged abusers, Presentations Brothers’ Scoil Cholmcille in Letterkenny has three allegations and two alleged abusers and St. Louis Girls Convent NS, Station Road, Bundoran, was named by one respondent.

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.

Monsignor Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Raphoe said his thoughts are with the affected families and that no such incidents should ever happen again.

“The Scoping Inquiry Report into abuse at Religious run schools in Ireland leaves anyone who reads it with a deep sense of dismay, and indeed disgust, at what was endured by so many children and young people at the hands of those in whom great trust had been placed for the education, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people.

“This betrayal of trust is unlikely to be confined to one type of school, and the commitment of the Government to undertake a Commission of Investigation to look further into this question is to be welcomed.

“A wide remit for this Inquiry would help to address the trauma suffered by children and young people across the entire school community in the period in question. For its part, the Diocese of Raphoe will provide its cooperation to the Commission.

“My own thoughts and prayers are with all those directly affected by this report, and with all whose experience of abuse across the community are re-traumatised by these reports. It is harrowing to examine the failures that have marked us, but shedding light on these experiences provides a pathway to healing, and ensures that we be vigilant in preventing anything similar in the future.

“While Safeguarding practices and measures are in place today that provide confidence for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in various activities, nevertheless we must remain vigilant. I encourage anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities, or the diocesan Safeguarding Office immediately.

“To report a concern, or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical, please contact Margaret Northage, the Designated Liaison Person for the diocese, on: 086 2183 011. are advised also to contact statutory authorities:
Tusla (Child & Family Agency) - Tel: 074 9102233
Gardaí National Protective Services Bureau - Tel: 01 6663430/6663435
In an emergency, please contact Letterkenny Garda Station - Tel: 074 9167100
Free Counselling & Support is available through Towards Healing, an independent organisation providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland.
Freephone - Rol: 1800 303416; Freephone - N.Ireland & UK: 0800 0963315; Freephone - Hearing Impaired: 085 8022859.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris called the alleged widespread sex abuse in schools "a shadow of the country’s past," describing the report as "harrowing."

“It is a shadow of our past that continues to loom large in so many lives, so many families, so many communities," he said.