A Co Cork remedial teacher who raped a schoolboy has been jailed for 10 years by Mr Justice O'Donovan at the Central Criminal Court. The 52-year-old single man was convicted in June by a jury after a 13-day trial on two charges of buggering the then 11-year-old pupil during special lunchtime remedial classes. He was also convicted of four charges of sexual assault. The offences occurred from 1997 to 1998.
Mr Justice O'Donovan, who told the jury in June he "wholeheartedly agreed" with the verdicts, said the now 13-year-old boy had been subject to prolonged cross-examination in the trial, in all likelihood on the instructions of the defendant.
He told the defendant he had accused the boy of fabricating a story and had accused his family of colluding with him. "I reject what you say," said the judge.
"You have abused a vulnerable young boy with learning difficulties who had been entrusted into your care. To obtain your ends you went out of your way to win the trust of his mother. You succeeded, so much so that she saw fit to give you a present. Despite the finding of the jury, you persist in denying your guilt."
Mr Justice O'Donovan refused leave to appeal the conviction, but granted a certificate of free legal aid to the defendant for an appeal against his refusal.
Det Garda Michael O'Sullivan said the defendant had been involved in the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland since 1972. He had served as a diocesan and regional commissioner. He had also served as a director of the Mellory Centre, which was used as a holiday centre.
Det Garda O'Sullivan told Ms Pauline Walley, prosecuting, the boy had shown courage in his dealings with gardai and social workers and during two court appearances.
The victim's mother said she wanted the lay teacher's name to be published in the media but Mr Justice O'Donovan said for legal reasons this wasn't possible at present.
Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, (with Mr Ray Boland) defending, said the convicted man still protested his innocence despite the consequences of so doing.
The jury reached unanimous guilty verdicts on six charges of rape and sexual assault committed on dates unknown between September 29th 1997 and February 19th 1998 at a Co Cork school.