News
Ireland Unveils Scale of Abuse in Religious Schools: 2,400 Allegations Revealed
A government-commissioned report has revealed nearly 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse across more than 300 schools run by religious orders in Ireland. This marks the first time the extent of abuse has been publicly disclosed, with Education Minister Norma Foley describing the findings as “truly shocking.”
The report, a “scoping inquiry” led by lawyer Mary O’Toole SC, uncovered that 884 individuals were accused of abuse within 42 religious orders, which either currently or formerly managed schools in Ireland. More than half of these accused individuals are now deceased.
The report, published on Tuesday evening, showed that religious orders and the schools themselves were the primary sources of data on these allegations. A total of 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse were recorded across 308 schools, but the report cautioned that the actual number of incidents is likely higher, as abuse is often under-reported.
Special schools were notably affected, with 590 allegations recorded in 17 institutions involving 190 alleged abusers. The survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with 149 providing interviews or written submissions to the inquiry. The abuse often occurred in classrooms, dormitories, sports facilities, and during extracurricular activities, and was frequently accompanied by extreme violence.
Victims described the pervasive power of the Catholic Church during that time, which they said silenced them and made them feel unable to confide in anyone, including their own parents.
In response to the report, the Irish government has agreed to launch a full statutory investigation to further probe the extent and impact of these abuses.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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