13 priests or teachers from seven Wexford schools implicated in sexual abuse inquiry

As many as 13 individuals across seven Wexford schools are alleged to have sexually abused pupils between the 1960s and the early 1990s according to a report published by senior counsel, Mary O’Toole. 

Spread across the county the schools were primarily run by the Christian Brothers (6) with just one other religious order in Wexford implicated in the report.

Wexford CBS Primary School was the subject of nine allegations of sexual abuse against four alleged abusers during this time period. The Wexford CSB secondary school was the subject of three allegations of abuse with two members of staff, predominately teachers or priests, alleged to have carried out the abuse.

Both primary and secondary CBS schools in Enniscorthy were also the subject of allegations with the primary school receiving five allegations of abuse against two individuals. The secondary school received two allegations of abuse with two abusers alleged to have carried out the acts.

Similarly, in Gorey the CBS primary school received five allegations of abuse regarding one alleged abuser, while the secondary had two allegations of sexual abuse against one alleged abuser.

Run by the Augustinians, Good Counsel College in New Ross received one allegation of abuse concerning one alleged abuser.

This far-reaching report unearthed records of almost 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse against 884 people at 308 schools nationally. The majority of those carrying out the abuse were priests or teachers in positions of trust, with constant access to vulnerable children.

Although not named, it is stated that over half of those accused in the ­religious orders’ records are now dead. The overwhelming majority of allegations relate to the sexual abuse of boys.

The records also reveal a troubling “high” prevalence of alleged abuse in special schools, with 17 special schools recording 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.

While the inquiry contains figures from across Ireland, the bulk focuses on the testimonies of the survivors with over 180 going on the record to recount their experiences. Some survivors described being “molested, stripped naked, raped and drugged amidst an atmosphere of terror and silence”.

The report has recommended a commission of investigation be set up, to which the Government has agreed.