Ms Kenny said that it was known that silence compounded the feeling of responsibility and shame on survivors which compounded the trauma they experienced.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s News at One, he said it was shocking to think that one man in particular Fr Patrick Kelly had moved from New York to California and then to Gardiner Street in Dublin and then Limerick.

Since September, more than 500 people have approached One in Four seeking support in the wake of the publication of the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools.

Deirdre Kenny said it was important to include schools not run by religious congregations in the inquiry.