Number of historical abuse allegations against Church rise by over 50% in a year

It is the highest number of new allegations in any reporting period since figures began to be published annually in 2009

The increase was predominantly from September of 2024 and coincided with the release of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious and the subsequent media coverage. File picture

Abuse allegations against the Catholic Church spiked by more than 50% in Ireland last year. Some 385 abuse allegations were made in 2024/2025, up from 252 allegations in the previous reporting period of 2023/2024.

The ”startling” rise in historical abuse allegations has been linked to last year's publication of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious Orders.