Courts / Waterford / Report

Former Christian Brothers accused of breach of duty to be named in national newspaper

Date
2026-07-29

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Tramore

Summary

The High Court has granted permission for the publication in a national newspaper of the names of over 300 former Christian Brothers who are now co-defendants in a civil abuse claim. These individuals are not accused of abuse but are being named in the hope that they will come forward. The case was heard by Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty, who granted the motion brought by the plaintiff's legal team. The plaintiff was abused by Christian Brother Liam Coughlan in the 1970s while attending school in Co Kilkenny. Coughlan received two jail terms in 2023 for indecent assault. The court has previously criticized David Gibson, the current head of the Christian Brothers, for an obstructive approach towards civil lawsuits. As an unincorporated association, the Christian Brothers cannot be sued unless a nominee is provided. Gibson has refused to act as a nominee, forcing litigants to take legal action against individual members. The case is being brought by a male survivor of abuse against Coughlan and Gibson. The names of 341 individuals will be published in the Irish Independent.