More than 200 alumni in Ireland have allegations of abuse against 77 Holy Ghost Fathers at four colleges in Dublin and Tipperary. In a documentary that was broadcast by the state broadcaster RTÉ on Monday evening, it has now become known that the Order has paid more than five million euros in damages for 18 years.
Two brothers detailed to the broadcaster the abuse they suffered at Blackrock College in the 1970s and early 1980s. The station’s investigation found that a total of 233 men had made similar accusations against 77 priests and had already received some compensation.
Lawsuits filed 20 years ago
As early as 2002, the two brothers had filed multiple lawsuits against one of the alleged perpetrators. The then accused father was 82 years old at the time, he denied all charges. The criminal case against him was dropped in 2007 and he died in 2010.
Dad Admits Abusing Students
The sexual abuse of students of Spiritan priests in Ireland first became public in March 2009 when a priest was given a suspended sentence. Another priest who abused the men now featured in the documentary was living in Canada when he was charged. However, as there is no extradition treaty between Ireland and Canada, the case never came to fruition, although he later admitted to abusing the brothers. He died in 2011.
More than 90 percent of schools in the Republic of Ireland are church-owned, with the majority being Catholic-led (88 percent). In the recent past, reports of mistreatment and abuse and forced adoptions in Catholic institutions such as mothers and children’s homes, as well as missing or incomplete sex education classes have made headlines.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
