Following the sentencing of the former Christian Brother yesterday, the organisation said Farrell was a only a brother for two years in the early 1970s.

Executive officer for professional standards for the Christian Brothers Brian Brandon made the apology.

“Child abuse undermines our society and erodes the sense of safety, trust and innocence to which we are all entitled,” he said. “On behalf of the Christian Brothers’ leadership team, I again express our sincere apology to all those harmed in any way by the actions of this man.”