Courts / Wexford / Report
Judge ruled against DPP application to stop media naming abuser
Summary
A judge denied the State's request to bar the media from naming John Gibson, a former Christian Brother teacher, after he was convicted of indecent assault on two children in the 1980s. Gibson, aged 72, was jailed for two years for sexual assaults on a 12‑year‑old girl in 1983 and a 12‑year‑old boy in 1985. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought an order to prevent reporting on the case, citing potential prejudice in future trials. Publishers of the Irish Times, Irish Independent and Irish Daily Mirror applied to lift the restrictions, and the court found no compelling reason to impose them. Judge Elma Sheahan ruled that no reporting restrictions were necessary and that a future warning would suffice. Gibson was subsequently named in press coverage of his trial and sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge ruled against DPP application to stop media naming abuser. Charges or matters: all counts by a jury following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- 1983 and 1985 Other
- 2019-04-01 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: all counts by a jury following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; John Gibson (72) was this morning jailed for two years for sexual assaults on two children at a Christian Brothers' School in Co. She imposed one year prison sentences for each assault, with the sentence for the later offence to run consecutive to the sentences for the 1983 offences, making an operative sentence of two years.
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