A former teacher at Terenure College in Dublin has been jailed for eight years for abusing 23 boys at the private school between 1973 and 1990.
John McClean, of Casimir Avenue, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, abused them through his roles as teacher, rugby coach and costume fitter for school plays.
A complaint was made in 1979, but aside from removing him from his costume fitting duties, no other action was taken.
In 1996, the then head of the Carmelites Order in Ireland became aware that McClean admitted abusing one boy, but it wasn’t brought to garda attention.
Last week, the court heard harrowing evidence of how the abuse impacted the lives of the survivors, with one of them describing McClean as “evil personified”.
Terenure College and the Carmelite Order have released a statement following today's sentencing, saying they acknoweldge "the courage of the men who gave harrowing accounts to the court of the abuse they suffered."
They say they "recognise the devastating and long-lasting impact this has had on the lives of the victims and survivors and the lives of their families and friends."
Fr Éanna Ó hÓbáin, Principal of Terenure College, and Fr Michael Troy, Provincial of the Carmelite Order in Ireland said that on behalf of Terenure College and the Carmelite Order they are deeply sorry and apologise unreservedly to the former pupils who were abused as young students.
The following statement has been issued by Terenure College & the Carmelite Order on the sentencing of former teacher John McClean in the Circuit Criminal Court today https://t.co/fTNIB0EVK9
— Terenure College (@TerenureCollege) February 18, 2021
Earlier today, the barrister for McClean had asked the judge to wait until he's vaccinated before she jails him.
The request was denied.
Judge Pauline Codd said the court is entitled to put its trust in the Irish Prison Service when it comes to prisoner welfare.
