Maeve Lewis, chief executive of One in Four, said over the past few days there had been a huge rise in calls from victims of abuse and the public.

She said people were very angry and upset with the way in which allegations of abuse against priests in the Cloyne diocese had been handled by the church and the Government. Victims felt their suffering had not been taken into account.

“After the Ferns report people thought the way in which these scandals were handled had changed, but now it seems nothing has,” she said. “The church is still protecting priests at the expense of victims.”

Meanwhile, Labour’s Sean Sherlock, who pushed to have the report published, said that while nothing will ease the damage done to young people in the area, the resignation of Bishop Magee would bring some degree of closure for the victims and their families.

“It would be a clear demonstration that lessons have been learned from this terrible affair, and that those in positions of authority will have to take responsibility where such failures occur.”

Mr Sherlock said Bishop Magee was now an “increasingly isolated figure.

His authority has been undermined. He has been publicly criticised by a number of Catholic priests.

Many people are deeply disquieted about what has emerged, and even Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, has belatedly called on him to “reflect on the findings of the report because they are so serious”.

Mr Sherlock said the minister also needed to reflect on the way he had handled the report.

Victims of abuse can call One in Four on 01-6624070 for support and advice, or Connect, the National Adults Counselling Service, on 1800-235235.