Gardaí have been contacted more than 160 times within three days of launching an appeal related to historical sexual abuse at schools ran by religious orders.
It was announced on Tuesday 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 the Republic, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry revealed.
On Wednesday, gardaí launched an appeal asking anyone wishing to report such crimes to contact them.
Since then, more than 160 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.
Gardaí are making direct contact back with each individual person who has contacted the organisation.
A spokeswoman said: “This is a very sensitive process. An Garda Síochána understands the profound impact that sexual abuse has on the lives of each individual who are now coming forward.
“In most cases this is the first time when these victims of a crime have spoken to An Garda Síochána.
“Each person will be given the time and space to discuss their personal experience and An Garda Síochána will continue to support each person through the process at the pace and to the extent that they wish to engage with us.”
Individual investigations will be carried out by dedicated trained gardaí attached to Divisional Protective Service Units.
On Saturday, Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan at the GNPSB said: “An Garda Síochána is here to support any person who wishes to report any crime of sexual abuse not just in day and boarding Schools run by religious orders but also in any other institution or organisation.
“These crimes are insidious and have a lifelong effect on those who are subject of this abuse.
“An Garda Síochána will support each individual who makes a report to us; An Garda Síochána will listen and will assist in progressing their complaint at the pace and to the extent that the person wants.
“Any person contacting An Garda Síochána can be assured that their interaction will be treated in complete confidence.”
He added: “To any person who has not spoken about being the victim of sexual abuse, I would say the evidence in the Scoping Inquiry and the, so far, over 160 contacts made to An Garda Síochána show that you are not alone, you did nothing wrong and that if you want to speak your voice will be heard.
“I once again appeal to any person who believes they are the victim of a criminal act relating to Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious Orders, to please come forward and report this to An Garda Síochána.”
People can report such crimes to gardaí 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.
