Investigation into claims of organised paedophile rings preying on school children

Participants reported that their school 'had multiple staff members involved in either carrying out or facilitating sexual abuse, and some participants expressed the view that a paedophile ring was operating'. File picture: Larry Cummins

Victim support groups have said many more victims of sex abuse in schools are likely to come forward, as gardaí investigate accusations that organised paedophile rings were preying on schoolchildren.

Deirdre Kenny, the chief executive of the victim support organisation, One in Four, said the organisation's helpline was inundated with calls in the 24 hours after a new report detailed the sheer scale of the abuse in schools across the country.