There have been a number of investigations and reports into both clerical and institutional abuse of children in institutions in Ireland.
The best known of these is The Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (The Ryan Report), which deals with institutional abuse, followed by The Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin (The Murphy Report), which deals with sexual abuse in the Dublin diocese. However, there were several other reports, one of which dates back over 40 years. Click on the links below to find out more.
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was established by the Irish Government in February 2015 to provide a full account of what happened to vulnerable women and children in Mother and Baby Homes during the period 1922 to 1998. It submitted its final report to the Minister on 30 October 2020.
On 12 January 2021, the Irish government published the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes
Institutional Abuse
The following reports detail institutional abuse of children in institutions in Ireland.
The reports covered are The Ryan Report, the Madonna House Report and the Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems Report. Below you will find web links and downloadable pdfs of these.
Useful Downloads
The Madonna House Report
WWW.LENUS.IE
The abridged version of this report was published in May 1996. It is a report on the inquiry into the operation of Madonna House, Merrion Rd, Dublin. Details of allegations of sexual abuse are withheld from the report for legal reasons.
4400 kb | Download
The Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems Report
WWW.LENUS.IE
The Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems Report (Kennedy Report) was the result of an inquiry carried out from 1967-1970 by a committee headed by District Justice Eileen Kennedy. Although the terms of reference of this Committee were originally restricted to the reformatory and industrial schools, the Minister subsequently agreed that the Committee’s inquiries should include all children in care. The overall impact of their findings led the Kennedy Report to recommend the abolition of “the institutional system of residential care”.
3500 kb | Download
Diocesan Abuse
The following reports detail clerical abuse of children in Ireland.
The reports covered are the investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin and the Diocese of Ferns. Below you will find web links and downloadable pdfs of these.
Useful Downloads
The Report by the Commission of Investigation into Catholic Diocese of Cloyne
WWW.JUSTICE.IE
The Report by the Commission of Investigation into Catholic Diocese of Cloyne was published in December 2010. It scrutinises how both the Catholic Church and State authorities handled allegations of abuse against 19 clerics in the Co. Cork diocese.
1900 kb | Download
The Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin
WWW.JUSTICE.IE
The Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin (The Murphy Report) was published by the Minister for Justice and Equality on 29 November 2009. It is an investigation into the handling of child sexual abuse cases in the Dublin diocese between 1975 and 2004.
22 kb | Download
Useful Links
The Ferns Report
WWW.DOCUMENTCLOUD.ORG
Published on 25th October 2005, The Ferns Report was the result of the Fern Inquiry which was established in 2003 to investigate allegations, and the response to these allegations, of child sexual abuse by members of the clergy in the diocese of Ferns from 1962-2002.
Other Reports
Other reports associated with investigations and reports into both clerical and institutional abuse of children in institutions in Ireland.
Useful Downloads
In Plain Sight
WWW.AMNESTY.IE
This report, responding to the Ferns, Cloyne, Murphy and Ryan reports, was commissioned by Amnesty International Ireland and compiled by Dr Carole Horohan. It was launched by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald on 26 September 2011.
3600 kb | Download