A GARDA investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against mentally handicapped boys has been completed and a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The allegations span a period of 33 years from 1951 to 1984. The investigation came after gardai in Cork last year received one complaint from a former student and, after making contact with others who had also lived in Lota residential school, run by the Brothers of Charity, took statements from some 20 other men who also allege abuse.
Most of those, who attended the school up to the age of 16 claim they were abused in Lota and on trips with brothers.
Three against whom the allegations were made are now dead and gardai have questioned two elderly surviving brothers.
A spokesman for the Brothers of Charity confirmed that neither has any involvement or contact with boys at present.