Courts

Former Terenure College rugby coach charged with abusing boys

John McClean appears in court accused of 49 counts of indecent assault

Former Terenure College rugby coach John McClean was an English and drama teacher who also coached rugby at the prestigious school for decades. File photograph: Collins Courts

Tom Tuite
Tue Aug 16 2022 - 16:19

Former rugby coach and teacher John McClean has been charged with indecently assaulting boys at a south Dublin school.

Mr McClean (76) of Casimir Avenue, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, was charged on Tuesday morning with 49 counts of indecent assault of a number of boys at Terenure College in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was then brought to appear before Judge John King at Dublin District Court.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda James Duffy of Crumlin station told the judge that the accused made no reply to charges.

READ MORE

He said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that the accused face “trial on indictment”, meaning the case would go forward to the circuit court with wider sentencing powers.

The judge noted the DPP also consented to him being sent forward for sentencing on a signed plea should that arise.

Defence solicitor Dara Robinson said the State needed to prepare a book of evidence.

The accused sat on the defendant’s bench and turned toward the judge with his left hand shielding his face.

The judge noted there was no objection to bail and ordered the accused to appear again in October.

Then he is to be served with the prosecution’s book of evidence and returned for trial to the higher court.

He has not yet indicated a plea.

The accused, dressed in a navy blazer, black trousers and light green shoes, did not address the court.

Mr McClean was an English and drama teacher who also coached rugby at the prestigious school for decades before taking up a position as director of rugby at UCD in the 1990s.

LATEST STORIES