Courts / Donegal / Report

Jury to continue deliberating in trial of teacher accused of abusing her male student

Summary

A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court will resume deliberations tomorrow in the trial of a teacher accused of indecently assaulting a male student decades ago. Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, aged 63 and from The Mullins in Donegal Town, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a child allegedly occurring between June and September 1985. The alleged victim was 13 years old at the time, while Ms McSherry O'Connor was aged 24 or 25 and working as a student teacher at a Dublin school. The prosecution alleges the assaults took place in the boy's home during private tuition sessions. The court also heard evidence regarding alleged sexual contact between the parties during a family holiday in Spain prior to the period covered by the charges. The jury had deliberated for over seven hours when Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned proceedings for the evening.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury to continue deliberating in trial of teacher accused of abusing her male student. Charges or matters: two counts of indecently assaulting a child on dates between June 1 and September 1, 1985. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 1 Incident
• September 1, 1985 Incident
• 2023-10-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report