Courts / Meath / Report

Music teacher who indecently assaulted pupil fails in appeal

Summary

Breffni O'Rourke, aged 67 and living in Ferrybank, Waterford, was convicted in 2012 of indecently assaulting a nine‑year‑old girl in his home in 1987. He had pleaded not guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The jury found him guilty and Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended. O'Rourke appealed the conviction, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on several grounds. Justice Garrett Sheehan, sitting with Justices Alan Mahon and John Edwards, noted that O'Rourke was single and lived alone in a cottage, worked in credit control, and gave music lessons. He had begun teaching the victim in 1985, later moving lessons to his home. The court found the evidence of a 1992 meeting and subsequent complaints credible, and concluded that any alleged prejudice was minimal. The appeal was rejected.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Music teacher who indecently assaulted pupil fails in appeal. Charges or matters: indecently assaulting the then nine-year-old girl in his Stamullen home in June 1987. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• June 1987 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 30, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2003 Other
• 2016-05-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report