Convictions in 2% of child abuse claims against orders

Just 2% of allegations of child abuse against eight male religious orders have resulted in a criminal conviction, according to an inspection body.

A series of reports published yesterday documented a total of 325 allegations since 1941, involving a total of 141 priests or brothers — resulting in eight convictions.

The National Board For Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church said that of the 79 allegations against Jesuits, 72% were reported to gardaí and none resulted in a conviction.