Courts / Kilkenny / Report

Ex Christian Brother (88) guilty of abusing boys almost 50 years ago

Summary

An 88‑year‑old former Christian Brother was found guilty of indecent assault by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The trial concerned 30+ charges of assaulting six boys at a Kilkenny primary school between August 1975 and June 1976. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all offences. After about five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously convicted him of 28 counts involving four complainants, found him guilty by majority of two counts involving a fifth complainant, and returned a not‑guilty verdict on one count involving a sixth complainant. Judge Elma Sheahan thanked the jury, remanded the defendant on continuing bail pending a sentencing hearing on 30 June, and ordered victim impact statements and medical reports. Prosecutor Patrick McGrath SC presented evidence that the alleged inappropriate contact included touching and fondling, and that the complainants, now men in their 50s, were pupils at the school where the defendant taught.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ex Christian Brother (88) guilty of abusing boys almost 50 years ago. Charges or matters: all offences. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 1975 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 1976 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 30 Adjournment
• 2023-05-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report