Teacher told gardai that student fantasised about her, trial hears

A 63-year-old teacher from Donegal Town has pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a male student in 1985 when she was a trainee educator in Dublin. During trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the defendant told gardaí that nothing inappropriate occurred during tutoring sessions at the boy's home or during a holiday in Spain. She stated she believed the then-13-year-old harboured a crush on her but that she regarded him as a younger brother. The now-adult complainant, in his fifties, testified that the alleged abuse deeply affected him, describing the experience as emotionally devastating throughout his teenage years. He stated he disclosed the allegations to his girlfriend at 19 but did not report to gardaí until recently. Defence counsel contested the allegations, suggesting contact between them ended naturally when the teacher finished at the school. The complainant's former girlfriend corroborated that he had confided in her about the abuse when distressed. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.