Courts / Donegal / Report

Abuser teacher told boy (13) she'd been sexually assaulted as part of 'grooming', court finds

Summary

A secondary school teacher from Donegal Town has had her conviction upheld by the Court of Appeal following a challenge to her trial proceedings. Jacinta McSherry O'Connor, aged 64, was found guilty in October 2023 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of two counts of indecent assault against a male student in 1985. The assaults occurred in the student's home while she was providing grinds; she was 24 at the time and the boy was 13. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy dismissed McSherry O'Connor's appeal, which contended that the jury should not have heard evidence of disclosures she made about her own alleged sexual assault. The court determined that such evidence was relevant to establishing grooming behaviour. McSherry O'Connor was sentenced to three years on each count concurrently, with the final six months suspended. McSherry O'Connor pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Abuser teacher told boy (13) she'd been sexually assaulted as part of 'grooming', court finds. Charges or matters: two counts of indecently assaulting a male student in 1985, but she was found guilty following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial in October 2023. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• October 2023 Incident
• June 1 Incident
• September 1, 1985 Incident
• 2024-12-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Teacher in bid to overturn her conviction for sexually abusing boy (13)
• Teacher who indecently assaulted boy 40 years ago is jailed
• Teacher convicted of abusing boy does not accept verdict, court hears
• Teacher guilty of abusing her male student in 1980s
• Jury to continue deliberating in trial of teacher accused of abusing her male student
• Jury continue deliberations in trial of teacher accused of abusing her male student

Read the original CNI report