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Gardaí receive 113 contacts since RTÉ Spiritans documentary

RTÉ's Documentary on One heard from victims of abuse by the Spiritan Order at Blackrock College
RTÉ's Documentary on One heard from victims of abuse by the Spiritan Order at Blackrock College

Gardaí have received 113 contacts since 6 November regarding members and former members of the Spiritans, formerly Holy Ghost Fathers.

It follows a programme by the RTÉ Documentary on One Unit in which two brothers outlined the sexual abuse they suffered on the grounds of Blackrock College in the late 1970s and the early 1980s.

Gardaí say contacts are primarily from victims, but they also include contacts from people who witnessed abuse and from people on behalf of victims.

The allegations to gardaí were made either through the Sexual Crime Management Unit Office at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau or at local garda stations across the country.

The Sexual Crime Management Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau is the central point of contact for all reports of clerical sexual abuse brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána.

The unit is co-ordinating the garda response into recent allegations made in respect of members and former members of the Order.

Gardaí have noted that 113 contacts does not automatically mean 113 new criminal complaints; however, each individual contact will be assessed and the person advised as to what, if any, further action can be taken, and fully supported by An Garda Síochána.

Tonight, Mark and David Ryan - who outlined the abuse they suffered in the documentary 'Blackrock Boys' - will speak publicly for the first time on the Late Late Show, since the Doc on One aired last month.

Since then, hundreds of abuse victims have come forward.

The Taoiseach confirmed last month that a public inquiry would be conducted following the revelations.