Courts / Dublin / Report
Judge who sexually abused young men argues jury charge was 'weighted against' him
Summary
Gerard O'Brien, a former Circuit Court judge, has appealed his conviction for attempted rape and the sexual abuse of six young men. O'Brien, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was convicted in December 2023 at the Central Criminal Court of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault. The offences, alleged to have occurred between 1991 and 1997 when he was a teacher, resulted in a four-year jail sentence imposed in June 2024 by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, who described O'Brien as "unsuitable to hold office." In his appeal, O'Brien's counsel argued that the trial judge's instructions to the jury were "confusing" and "weighted against the defence," suggesting the charge conveyed personal views and pressured the jury. The State's legal team countered that these suggestions were "misconceived" and urged the Court of Appeal to uphold the conviction. The three-judge court, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, has reserved judgment on the appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge who sexually abused young men argues jury charge was 'weighted against' him. Charges or matters: attempted rape and the sexual abuse of six young men when he was a teacher 30 years ago has appealed his conviction, arguing that trial judge's instructions to the jury were "confusing" and "weighted against the defence"; all the charges. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 2023 Incident
- March 1991 Incident
- November 1997 Incident
- June 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Eve Other
- Christmas Other
- 2026-03-10 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: attempted rape and the sexual abuse of six young men when he was a teacher 30 years ago has appealed his conviction, arguing that trial judge's instructions to the jury were "confusing" and "weighted against the defence"; all the charges (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He was jailed for four years in June 2024 by Mr Justice Alexander Owens. Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Owens said O'Brien was "unsuitable to hold office".
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
- Old School House
Topics
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