John McClean jailed for indecently assaulting 23 pupils

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

John McClean was sentenced to 11 years, with three suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 18 February 2021 after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting 23 pupils. The former Terenure College teacher and rugby coach abused boys between 1973 and 1990, including during costume fittings for school plays.

Judge Pauline Codd said the offences involved a significant abuse of power and an egregious breach of trust. McClean had denied the offences when interviewed by gardaí before later pleading guilty, and the court took the high number of victims into account when imposing sentence.