GARDAÍ HAVE BEEN contacted more than 500 times in relation to an appeal related to historical sexual abuse allegations at schools ran by religious orders launched three weeks ago.

It was announced at the start of this month that a commission of investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims.

Almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry revealed.

On September 4, gardai launched an appeal asking anyone wishing to report such allegations to contact them.

Since then, more than 522 contacts had been made to the Sexual Crime Management Unit at Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) by email and telephone, the Child Sexual Abuse Reporting phone line and in person at individual Garda stations.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the vast majority of these are from men and relate to alleged sexual abuse.

Other complaints relate to physical abuse of a non-sexual nature.

Speaking to the Policing Authority, the Commissioner said some of the allegations relate to people who were previously suspected or convicted of offences, some of whom are now deceased.

Harris has appealed for more people to come forward: “You are dealing with people who are specifically trained and are very professional in their approach to this.

“Your complaint to us is dealt with properly, thoroughly and great confidentiality as well. People will be listened to.”

Policing Authority chairwoman Dr Elaine Byrne asked the Commissioner to respond to allegations of institutional cover-up in relation to the allegations.

Harris said gardaí were conscious of the need to search for and preserve any documentation for a future commission of investigation.

“The scoping inquiry has laid bare the extent of the abuse, the numbers involved and it makes clear where our provision of information was deficient and we need to rectify that between now and the new commission commencing its work,” he said.

Asked what would happen if individual gardaí are found to have participated in a cover up, Mr Harris said they would be reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Garda Ombudsman.

People can report such crimes to gardai by emailing GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie, phoning the free and confidential Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222, or by attending their local garda station.