Four Christian Brothers who worked at St Joseph's Industrial School, Tralee, appeared in Tralee District Court yesterday charged with a number of sex offences against boys in their care during the 1950s and 1960s.
The accused men are Brother Denis Boyhan (69), of the CBS Monastery, Kilkenny; Brother Dan Doheny (59), of CBS Synge Street, Dublin; Brother Conor Lane (82), of CBS, North Monastery, Cork; and Brother John Dermot O'Kelly, of CBS House, Binn Bain, Dingle.
There were 43 charges against Brother Boyhan of indecent assault and gross indecency; eight similar charges against Brother Doheny; two charges of gross and indecent assaults plus a further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Brother Lane and one charge of indecent assault against Brother O'Kelly.
State solicitor Mr Edward O'Sullivan applied to have the matter adjourned until September 22nd for the service of the books of evidence and that the accused men be remanded on their own bonds.
Mr Ronnie Lynham, solicitor, suggested the case be held in camera and the names of the accused men not be published in any form which could lead to their identification by members of the public.
Mr O'Sullivan said people involved in the case were all adults and it was a matter for the court to decide.
Mr Lynham submitted that the court had a discretion for the absolute prohibition of the publication of any matter which could lead to the identity of the accused persons becoming known.
Mr O'Sullivan said the crimes with which the accused men were charged occurred 30, 40 or more years ago and the protection of the court was required, not in relation to the identities of the accused men, but so that the victims would not be identified.
Judge Finn ruled that only the names of the victims in the cases not be published.
The four accused persons entered into their own bonds of £200 each and the case was adjourned until September 22nd.
A statement issued by the Congregation of the Irish Christian Brothers stated: "We want to make it very clear that we are co-operating fully with the Garda investigations being carried out as a result of complaints that they have received. The brothers deeply regret the hurt that may have been caused in any school or institution with which they are or have been associated."
For further information contact Mr Emmet Coffey at 6188456.