Courts / Dublin / Report
Coach gets 8-year jail term for abusing 23 boys over three decades
Summary
John McClean, aged 76, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for sexually abusing 23 boys at Terenure College between 1973 and 1990. The offences involved repeated indecent assaults, including groping, fondling and sexual touching, often under the guise of costume fittings, teaching duties or disciplinary meetings. McClean denied the allegations during Gardaí interviews, but pleaded guilty in November 2020. He had no prior convictions. The court noted the prolonged duration and scale of the abuse, the psychological manipulation of the victims, and the impact on their adult lives. Judge Pauline Codd imposed an 11‑year sentence, suspending the final three years on the condition of good behaviour for two years after release. McClean had previously worked as a rugby coach at UCD after leaving the school in 1996. The sentencing highlighted the severity of the repeated sexual offences and the court's decision to impose a suspended portion rather than consecutive sentences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Coach gets 8-year jail term for abusing 23 boys over three decades. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1973 and 1990 Incident
- 1966 and 1996 Incident
- Christmas Other
- 2021-02-18 Publication
Why: The boy explained that his work had been affected by his home life being difficult and the accused said he understood. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) John McClean, a former rugby coach and teacher at Dublin private school Terenure College, has been jailed for eight years for sexually abusing 23 students over three decades. Judge Codd sentenced McClean to 11 years imprisonment, but suspended the final three years of the sentence on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years post release.
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