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'No one took any steps to stop the abuse,' judge notes as Terenure College coach is further jailed
Summary
John McClean, a former Terenure College rugby coach, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to four years' imprisonment, to run consecutively to an existing eight‑year term for abusing 23 pupils. The new sentence covers 23 additional counts of indecent assault and sexual assault against 20 boys between 1971 and 1992, bringing the total to 22 complainants. McClean, aged 78, has 96 prior convictions for indecent assault of boys under 18. The judge noted that no one intervened to stop the abuse, which occurred over a 20‑year period in the school's office, physiotherapy room and a private "smoking room." McClean's guilty pleas and expression of remorse were considered mitigating factors, but the judge emphasised the prolonged nature of the abuse and the trust he abused. The sentence will begin in February 2027, after his current term is served, and he will be 84 upon release.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'No one took any steps to stop the abuse,' judge notes as Terenure College coach is further jailed. Charges or matters: a further 23 counts of abusing another 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2027 Incident
- 1971 and 1992 Incident
- 2023-02-24 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a further 23 counts of abusing another 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Claire Henry Former Terenure College rugby coach John McClean was a serial child abuser who used his position of trust as a teacher "to gratify his own needs", a judge said today as he jailed him for the abuse of 22 boys at the private school over a 20-year period. "It seems from the evidence that I have heard that no one took any steps to stop the abuse," Judge Martin Nolan also noted. Judge Martin Nolan today sentenced McClean to four years in prison which will run consecutively to his current prison sentence and will begin when that sentence is served in February 2027.
Convicted Person
Charges: a further 23 counts of abusing another 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Terenure College rugby coach John McClean was a serial child abuser who used his position of trust as a teacher "to gratify his own needs", a judge said today as he jailed him for the abuse of 22 boys at the private school over a 20-year period. "It seems from the evidence that I have heard that no one took any steps to stop the abuse," Judge Martin Nolan also noted. McClean (78) of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, Dublin, is already serving an eight-year sentence for abusing 23 Terenure College pupils that was handed down in 2021.
Places mentioned
- Casimir Avenue
- Dublin
Topics
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