Courts / Wexford / Report

Court hears of impact of Christian Brother's abuse

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, John Gibson, aged 72, was found guilty of two indecent assault charges against a 12‑year‑old girl in 1983 and a 12‑year‑old boy in 1985 at a Christian Brothers' School in Co. Wexford. The trial, lasting five days, included testimony from the victims who described how Gibson molested them while washing them after manual work and later during showering or painting tasks. Gibson denied the charges but was convicted by a jury. The victims recounted the lasting impact of the abuse, including the man's loss of interest in sport, binge‑drinking, and eventual school dropout, and the woman's withdrawal, fear, and difficulty with intimacy. Gibson, now retired, lives under a structured community safety plan and is on the Sex Offenders' Register. The sentencing hearing was adjourned to 1 April for finalisation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court hears of impact of Christian Brother's abuse. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• April 1 Adjournment
• 2019-03-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report