Courts / Dublin / Report
Court urged to consider if allowing serial child abusing ex-rugby coach to serve no additional jail time would've been 'fair and just'
Summary
In February 2021, former Terenure College rugby coach John McClean, aged 79, was convicted of sexually abusing 23 pupils and sentenced to four years. In February 2023, he was convicted of further abuse of 22 pupils and received an additional four‑year sentence, to run consecutively, making a total of 12 years. The State argued that a concurrent sentence would not reflect the suffering of the 22 new victims. McClean's sentences were imposed by Judge Pauline Codd and Judge Martin Nolan, respectively, with the second term set to begin after the first term ends in February 2027. McClean will be about 84 upon release. The case involved indecent assault and sexual assault between 1971 and 1993 while he was a teacher and rugby coach at Terenure College. The Court of Appeal was urged to consider whether the consecutive sentences were fair and just.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court urged to consider if allowing serial child abusing ex-rugby coach to serve no additional jail time would've been 'fair and just'. Charges or matters: sexually abusing a total of 45 pupils – the highest number of complainants in a case before the Irish courts – over a period of more than 20 years has complained that the decision to impose consecutive sentences on him totalling 12 years was too severe; offending 45 children over 20 years, an actual custodial sentence of 12 years would not be too harsh or too severe," said Mr Murray. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2027 Incident
- January 2023 Incident
- 1971 and 1993 Incident
- 1971 and 1992 Incident
- 2024-02-12 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: sexually abusing a total of 45 pupils – the highest number of complainants in a case before the Irish courts – over a period of more than 20 years has complained that the decision to impose consecutive sentences on him totalling 12 years was too severe; offending 45 children over 20 years, an actual custodial sentence of 12 years would not be too harsh or too severe," said Mr Murray (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Photo: Collins) The State has urged the Court of Appeal to consider if allowing former Terenure College rugby coach John McClean to serve no additional jail time for abusing 22 victims who came forward after the serial offender was first jailed in 2021 would have been "fair and just". McClean (79), Casimir Avenue, Harolds Cross, Dublin, was sentenced by Judge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February 2021 for the abuse of 23 victims, before being further sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan in February 2023 for the abuse of 22 other victims.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Casimir Avenue
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request