Taoiseach says State apology will be made over sexual abuse of children in schools [Video]

THE TAOISEACH HAS said that he expects a State apology will be made to survivors of sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders.

Simon Harris said the recent scoping inquiry report into the matter has uncovered a “national trauma”.

The inquiry found almost 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. The allegations span a total of 308 schools run by 42 religious orders and 844 alleged abusers. 

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One this morning, Harris said that “a national trauma is an appropriate description of what our country is going through right now”.

He thanked survivors who have come forward to share their experience, giving particular thanks to David Ryan and his late brother Mark Ryan who were instrumental to shedding light on the depth of the scandal.

“We have this deep, painful wound now, and I use wound rather than scar, because it’s an open wound. It’s hurting today. We have …