A REPORT into the abuse suffered by thousands of children in state-run institutions across the Irish Republic will be published today in the largest investigation of religious orders to date.

The full extent of the emotional, physical and sexual trauma inflicted on youngsters by Roman Catholic nuns and priests will be unveiled a decade after the Child Abuse Commission was set up by the Government.

Around 2500 men and women who were abused in schools and institutions all over the country gave evidence to the Commission, led by Mr Justice Sean Ryan.

The testimonies of more than 700 witnesses were published in an interim report in 2003.

Hundreds of men and women recalled being beaten, while others were sexually abused and some described being gang raped.