Irish investigation reveals shocking levels of sexual abuse at religious schools , mostly run by the Catholic Church. The investigation covers 2,395 allegations, Reuters reports, citing a statement from the Irish government quoted by BTA.
The preliminary report identified 884 alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse at more than 300 schools in the country who operated between 1927 and 2013. Most of the cases were from the 1960s to 1990s, according to the government.
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Following this report, a commission of inquiry will be established, which is likely to uncover other cases, Education Minister Norma Foley said at a press conference.
"The level of abuse is shocking, as is the number of alleged perpetrators," she stressed.
The preliminary investigation is based on documents held by religious institutions and testimonies of victims. This is the latest in a series of accusations of abuse and mistreatment by priests and members of religious orders, mostly from Ireland's dominant Catholic Church, notes Reuters.