Blackrock College has issued an apology to victims of sexual abuse which it described as a “shameful period” in the school's history that it “deeply regretted”.
In a letter to parents signed by the principal Alan MacGinty, he said the school sympathised with past pupils who suffered such "harrowing and life changing experiences".
Mr MacGinty assured current parents and guardians that the school would work diligently to ensure the highest standard of care for all students and staff.
“We are appalled by the recent revelations of abuse at Blackrock College in the 1970s and 1980s. It is a shameful period in our history which is deeply regretted,” he said.
“We sympathise with those past pupils, their extended families and friends who suffered from such harrowing and life changing experiences. On behalf of the extended college community, I apologise for this.
“We wish to assure our current parents and guardians that we work diligently, in partnership across the Blackrock and Willow Park campus to ensure the highest standard of care for all our students and staff.”
The letter also contained a statement from Fr Martin Kelly C.S.Sp, head of the Spiritan Order in Ireland, who also apologised to victims and survivors of abuse.
“As Leader of the Congregation in Ireland, I want to acknowledge that abuse did take place in our schools,” he said.
“I apologise sincerely to those who have been so grievously hurt and assure victims/survivors that our congregation is doing all in its power to help those who have been injured and ensure that our schools are safe places for the present generation of pupils.”
Since 2004, the Spiritans paid out more than €5m in abuse settlement claims and to fund support services after children were abused at schools under its control.
Allegations have been made by past pupils of nine Spiritan schools – including Blackrock College, where 57 people have alleged they were abused on the school’s campus.
The order has made settlements with 12 people relating to abuse at Blackrock.
Some of the allegations also relate to Willow Park School adjacent to the college.
Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating abuse allegations relating to Spiritan schools and have urged other victims to make contact with their local garda station.
“No further information can be disclosed in relation to individual referrals for operational reasons,” a spokesperson said.
Gardaí said any abuse victims will be “supported and treated with sensitivity”.
The investigation is being led by the Sexual Crime Management Unit, which handles complaints against religious orders.
The Blackrock College Union also expressed its “deepest sympathy and solidarity” with all past pupils who were “subject to abuse while attending the college”.
In a statement issued today, the college said it is a matter of “great sadness” to the union that “such abuse was inflicted on pupils of the schools, and we acknowledge that the matters raised in the media are profoundly upsetting and life changing for the victims of such abhorrent abuse”.
“The union deeply regrets that pupils in the College and Willow Park were not protected from this abuse, and we encourage anyone who has been affected by such abuse to seek the appropriate advice and assistance,” the statement said.
“The media coverage has referred to a statement which has been carried on our website which encourages any past pupil affected by abuse to seek support and which is repeated below.
"Inclusion and engagement are two strong themes that the union focus on. As representatives of your Union, we are conscious that the experiences of some of our past pupils while at school in Willow Park and Blackrock College may have been damaged by abuse by persons priest and lay, who were teachers during those important years.
“The union wants you to know that if you have been affected by such experiences there are practical and moral supports available on a confidential basis by contacting the union at unionoffice@rock.ie
“We would encourage any pupil who is an abuse victim to come forward and begin the process of healing with the full support of all your peers.”