Courts / Donegal / Report
Teacher convicted of abusing boy does not accept verdict, court hears
Summary
A former secondary school teacher, Jacintha McSherry O'Connor (63), of the Mullins, Donegal Town, Co Donegal, was found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting a male student in 1985 following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial in October. The court heard the abuse occurred while McSherry O'Connor worked as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school. The complainant, now in his fifties, stated that McSherry O'Connor 'has been like a spectre hanging over me my whole life' and that she 'took my innocence away'. He also mentioned that the truth was close to never coming out, but he was glad he spoke out. The trial also heard allegations of inappropriate sexual relations between McSherry O'Connor and the boy on a holiday in Spain, but no charges were before the jury in relation to these alleged incidents. Marc Thompson BL, defending, described the case as 'highly unusual' and said his client does not accept the verdict. He said the result of the trial had a 'significant impact' on her and that her imprisonment will have a significant impact on her mother, who is elderly. He asked the court to be as lenient as possible. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the case for finalisation on January 11, 2024.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teacher convicted of abusing boy does not accept verdict, court hears. Charges or matters: two counts of indecently assaulting a male student in 1985 following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial in October. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- June 1 Incident
- September 1, 1985 Incident
- January 11, 2024 Adjournment
- 2023-12-09 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: two counts of indecently assaulting a male student in 1985 following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial in October (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He said McSherry O'Connor's imprisonment will have a significant impact on her mother, who is elderly.; If he told so many people, maybe they pushed him into it." Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the case for finalisation on January 11, 2024.
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