Courts / Dublin / Report
Terenure College was 'a very safe place for paedophiles', abuse victim tells court
Summary
At a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 60‑year‑old former Terenure College pupil described the school as "a very safe place for paedophiles" and recounted the daily bullying, humiliation and sexual abuse he endured at the hands of former rugby coach and teacher John McClean. McClean, aged 78, admitted to sexually assaulting 20 boys between 1971 and 1992 and is currently serving an 11‑year sentence, with the final three years suspended, for abusing 23 pupils. Victims testified that McClean used his positions as form master, rugby coach, French and English teacher, and his private office or physiotherapy room to prey on children, often under the pretext of treating sports injuries. Several survivors spoke of lasting mental health problems, substance misuse, relationship breakdowns and job loss caused by the abuse. McClean's guilty pleas included 23 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. The court adjourned the case for sentencing to the following day.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Terenure College was 'a very safe place for paedophiles', abuse victim tells court. Charges or matters: a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1971 and 1992 Incident
- 2023-02-23 Publication
Why: " Several victims said they could still smell McClean's aftershave and were unable to look at the photographs of his "chilling" eyes in the newspapers because of the memories that would come flooding back to them. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He is to be sentenced tomorrow at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he admitted sexually assaulting 20 boys at the south Dublin school on dates between 1971 and 1992. McClean of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, Dublin is currently serving an 11-year sentence, with the final three years suspended, for abusing 23 Terenure College pupils.; Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case for sentencing to 1pm tomorrow.
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