A former Blackrock College pupil has questioned the Spiritan religious order’s approach to contacting survivors in Ireland following an appeal concerning allegations of abuse by an Irish priest.

As reported by the Sunday Independent in August 2026, the Spiritans issued an appeal in Canada inviting anyone affected by alleged abuse involving Fr Ted Colleton to come forward.

The survivor has questioned why a comparable public appeal was not communicated as clearly in Ireland.

The issue has brought renewed attention to Spiritan abuse and the experiences of those affected by Blackrock College abuse.

Blackrock College abuse: a survivor’s account

Liam O’Connor, now 73, says he was sexually abused by Fr Ted Colleton in 1967, when he was a 14-year-old day pupil at Blackrock College.

He has described being taken from his normal class for a one-to-one meeting in the college counselling suite.

Colleton moved to Canada four years later, where he ministered for approximately 40 years.

He died in 2011 at the age of 97.

Mr O’Connor formally reported what had happened to the Irish Province of the Spiritans in 2002 and also contacted Gardaí that year. No criminal charges followed.

He has spoken publicly about the profound psychological effect the experience had on him and the years of therapy he underwent before feeling able to report it.

Reflecting on its lasting impact, Mr O’Connor said the experience fundamentally affected his ability to trust people he had previously regarded as figures of authority and safety.

Apologies from the Spiritans

The Spiritans have previously acknowledged abuse committed by members of the congregation and apologised publicly to survivors.

Mr O’Connor also received a written apology from the then Irish Provincial, Fr Martin Kelly, in August 2023, acknowledging the harm and suffering caused by Fr Colleton.

A further formal apology followed in 2024.

Mr O’Connor believes greater public attention to historical abuse at Blackrock College contributed to that acknowledgement.

The Spiritans have separately acknowledged historical abuse within their schools and continue to operate safeguarding and restorative justice supports for survivors.

Spiritan abuse: the appeal in Canada and questions in Ireland

A Canadian branch of the Spiritans subsequently published information concerning the allegation against Fr Colleton and invited people affected in Canada to make contact.

Mr O’Connor’s concern is that a similarly prominent appeal was not communicated directly to potential survivors in Ireland.

In correspondence in June 2026, Spiritan Provincial Fr Brendan Carr reiterated the apology made to the former Blackrock College pupil and invited anyone in Ireland or Canada who had experienced abuse by Colleton to contact the Spiritan Safeguarding Office.

For Mr O’Connor, however, the issue is not simply whether an invitation existed.

His concern is whether survivors in Ireland were sufficiently informed that the invitation had been made.

He described the situation as another loss of trust and questioned whether enough had been done proactively to reach people who may never have felt able to make a complaint themselves.

The Spiritans were contacted for comment in relation to the report and were unable to respond to queries at that time.

State inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools

The Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools is now preparing to begin its substantive work.

Its remit covers the handling of allegations and concerns of child sexual abuse across day and boarding schools in Ireland between 1927 and 2013.

The Commission has launched its website and plans to conduct a national survey in autumn 2026. Survivors, witnesses and others with relevant information will be invited to provide initial information.

The Commission will also establish a voluntary Survivor Engagement Programme designed to allow survivors to share their experiences confidentially in a supportive and non-adversarial setting.

What survivors of religious order abuse can do

There is no single route a survivor must follow.

Reporting an allegation to An Garda Síochána, contacting a safeguarding service, participating in the Commission of Investigation and seeking independent legal advice are separate options. Choosing one does not necessarily prevent someone from considering another.

Where the alleged abuser has died, this does not automatically mean that every possible civil avenue is closed.

Depending on the circumstances, legal advice may consider whether an institution or another body that owed a duty of care could bear responsibility.

Claims involving historical sexual abuse require careful assessment of the individual facts, the legal basis of the proposed claim and the available evidence.

Our page concerning the Holy Ghost Order, as the Spiritans were formerly known, explains in more detail how claims involving Spiritan abuse may be approached.

Time limits in historical abuse cases

Time limits in historical sexual abuse cases can be complex, and it is important not to assume that a claim is automatically out of time because the abuse happened many years ago.

Different limitation rules may apply depending on the legal basis of the claim, the age of the survivor when the abuse occurred and when they became aware of the connection between the abuse and their injuries.

Irish law also makes specific provision for survivors of childhood sexual abuse whose psychological injury substantially impaired their ability to make a reasoned decision to bring proceedings.

While that impairment continues, the survivor may be treated as being under a disability for limitation purposes.

Personal injury claims based on negligence or breach of duty are generally subject to a two-year limitation period from the relevant date, but the application of limitation law to historical abuse requires an individual assessment.

This is why someone should not assume that the passage of time alone prevents them from obtaining legal advice about what happened.

Support and how Coleman Legal LLP can help

The Spiritan Safeguarding Office can be contacted by people affected by abuse involving members of the congregation.

The Spiritans currently list [email protected] as a contact for their safeguarding service.

Independent emotional support is also available through organisations including the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and One in Four.

Philip Treacy and the sexual abuse team at Coleman Legal LLP, including Patrick Coleman, Diane Treanor and Rose Sweeney, advise people affected by Spiritan abuse, Blackrock College abuse, and sexual abuse in schools and religious institutions.

We understand that speaking about abuse experienced many years ago can be difficult. If you would like to understand your legal options, you can speak with our team privately and at your own pace.

All enquiries are treated as private and confidential.