[ad_1]
Details of child abuse in a paid Dublin school over a period of 27 years are outlined today in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
John McClean, of Casimir Avenue, Harold’s Cross, admitted to sexually abusing 23 children at Terenure College between 1973 and 1990.
The 76-year-old is a former rugby coach and English teacher. He also participated in putting costumes on children for school plays.
He abused nine victims in an office, eight during the preparation of the school works, three during sports activities and three in the classroom.
The court also heard today that a school principal had been informed about the abuse in 1979, but did not accept that the allegations were true.
The details of what McClean did to six of the children so far have been outlined in court.
The court heard that they were 12, 13, 14 and 15 years old at the time.
In their statements on the impact of the victims, the boys, who are now men in their 50s, spoke about how the abuse damaged their lives.
One said he will never be able to forget it, while another spoke of later failures in relationships with women.
Some said they dropped out of school early, failed to complete state exams and were deprived of an education in life.
When interviewed by Gardaí, McClean denied the abuse of the children.
One victim told the court that he was very sorry that the school ignored him when he informed them.
He said he wrote to Terenure College and never received a reply.
Another said McClean turned away from dress after complaining of abuse, but couldn’t believe that two years later McClean was named a master of form for the first few years with his own private office.
The court also heard that the school principal, a Carmelite father, was informed of the abuse in 1979.
However, despite a meeting with a victim and her parents, she indicated that the allegations were not true and that was the end of the matter.
Sentencing hearing continues before Judge Pauline Codd.
[ad_2]