A former Christian Brother who faces 15 charges of indecent assault at Letterfrack industrial school in Connemara in the 1960s, has said he accepts full responsibility for his actions and would co-operate so as not to cause further trauma to people who had made complaints against him.
John McKenna (58), unemployed, Ballcullen, Dublin, is charged with the indecent assault of three boys at the industrial school between 1968 and 1970. He was arrested yesterday and appeared before Clifden District Court.
McKenna said: "I understand everything that has been said to me in relation to these charges. I undertake to co-operate fully with the process of law in this case and I hope that my attitude will help to expedite the matter and bring it to closure in due course. It is my intention to accept full responsibility for my actions in this matter and I do not wish to cause any further pain or trauma to the people to have complained against me."
Judge John Garavan remanded McKenna on bail on his own surety of €900 and an independent surety of €2,100, to appear at Clifden District Court on April 25th.
A former lay worker at Letterfrack industrial school, Mr Patrick Mullen (61), Attyrourty, Letterfrack, denied six counts of indecently assaulting one boy in 1966 and 1967. He was remanded on €900 bail to appear before Letterfrack District Court on March 22nd.