Ireland Case No. 5532Sexual abuse (indecent assault and sexual assault) · Co. Dublin
Appeal court reduces sentence for Terenure College sexual abuse
John McClean, a former rugby coach and teacher at Terenure College in south Dublin, was convicted of sexually abusing 45 boys between 1971 and 1993. In February 2021 he was sentenced to eight years for abusing 23 pupils, and in February 2023 Judge Martin Nolan added a consecutive four-year term for 22 further victims, making his global sentence 12 years. McClean appealed the consecutive sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing it was too severe. In July 2024 the Court of Appeal quashed the 2023 sentence and imposed a global term of 10 and a half years for all 45 offences.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court11 Jan
5 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Feb
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- McClean was a former rugby coach and teacher at Terenure College in south Dublin, where he taught French and English over a three-decade tenure from 1966.
- McClean was convicted of sexually abusing 45 boys at Terenure College, with most charges being indecent assault and two being sexual assault against a student in the 1990s.
- Where
- The abuse took place mainly in McClean's office, a windowless physiotherapy room, or a room under the concert hall known as the smoking room.
- When
- The offences were committed between 1971 and 1992 or 1993, with specific charges relating to 1981-1983 and 1987-1988.
- Charges
- In January 2023 McClean pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault relating to two boys, and in February 2023 he pleaded guilty to a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys.
- In court
- In February 2021 Judge Pauline Codd sentenced McClean to eight years for abusing 23 pupils, and in February 2023 Judge Martin Nolan added a consecutive four-year term for 22 further victims.
- Sentence
- In July 2024 the Court of Appeal quashed the 2023 sentence and imposed a global term of 10 and a half years for all 45 offences.
- Investigation
- The Garda investigation into McClean has been completed with no outstanding allegations from further victims.
- Other details
- McClean has 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of boys under 18 who attended Terenure College.
- The Carmelite Order accepted it was a grave failure that McClean was not stopped and offered counselling, therapy, and financial compensation to victims.
- Victims Paul Kennedy, aged 60, and Damien Hetherington waived their anonymity and gave evidence in court, with Kennedy describing how McClean groomed him after his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
129 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMcClean was a former rugby coach and teacher at a south Dublin private school (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean admitted to indecently assaulting each of the two victims twice (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean admitted sexually assaulting 20 boys at the school between 1971 and 1992 (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe court heard evidence from several injured parties including one man who joined by video-link from the US (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean was appointed form-master for first years in 1980 and used this position and his role as rugby coach to prey on children (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean taught French and English during his three-decade tenure at the school (irishtimes.com)
- whatPaul Kennedy, now aged 60, described how McClean set about grooming him after his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn January, McClean affirmed guilty pleas to four counts of indecent assault relating to two boys during the 1980s (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatOn Thursday morning, McClean pleaded guilty to a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992 (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean admitted sexually assaulting 20 boys at Terenure College between 1971 and 1992 (thejournal.ie)
- whatMcClean was appointed form-master for first years in 1980 and used that position and his rugby coaching role to prey on children (thejournal.ie)
- whatJohn McClean admitted to sexually assaulting 20 boys (extra.ie)
- whatJohn McClean is a former rugby coach (extra.ie)
- whatPaul Kennedy was a student at Terenure College when he was sexually abused by John McClean. (thejournal.ie)
- whatPaul Kennedy is 60 years old. (thejournal.ie)
- whatKennedy said McClean groomed him after his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA former Terenure Rugby Coach is to serve four more years (extra.ie)
- whatHe admitted to sexually abusing another 22 boys (extra.ie)
- whatMcClean was convicted of sexually abusing a total of 45 pupils over more than 20 years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean was convicted of sexually abusing 45 pupils at Terenure College. (thejournal.ie)
- whatJohn McClean won an appeal against the severity of a four-year term for sexually abusing 22 pupils. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcClean has been convicted of sexually abusing 45 pupils. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMost of the charges were for indecent assault, and two were for sexual assault against a student in the 1990s. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe abuse took place mainly in his office, a windowless physiotherapy room or in a room under the concert hall known as the smoking room (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assaults took place at Terenure College (extra.ie)
- whereThe abuse involved pupils at Terenure College, where McClean was a teacher. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offences involved pupils at Terenure College. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place at the school in south Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place at Terenure College on dates unknown during term time between 1981 and 1983 and between 1987 and 1988 (irishtimes.com)
- whenMcClean is to be sentenced on Friday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe 11-year sentence was handed down in 2021 (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe abused his first child in 1971 and continued until 1993. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences were committed between 1971 and 1993. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe charges relate to offences committed between 1971 and 1993. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offending took place over a period of more than 20 years. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe judgment was delivered on a Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe judge said all the incidents were committed for the sexual gratification of the appellant. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda investigation into John McClean has been completed and there are no outstanding allegations from any more of his victims. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe Court of Appeal will listen to the DAR recording of the proceedings before Judge Codd and read the victim impact statements. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe faces a further 49 counts of alleged sexual assault concerning 20 former students at the school (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMost of the charges are of indecent assault while two are of sexual assault carried out against a student in the 1990s (irishtimes.com)
- chargeIn January he affirmed guilty pleas to four counts of indecent assault relating to two boys during the 1980s (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was arraigned on a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys between 1971 and 1992 (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMost charges are indecent assault while two are sexual assault carried out against a student in the 1990s (thejournal.ie)
- chargeIn January 2023, McClean affirmed guilty pleas to four counts of indecent assault relating to two boys during the 1980s. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMcClean was arraigned on a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 22 boys at the school between 1971 and 1992 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to a further 23 counts of abusing 20 boys between 1971 and 1992 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMost charges were indecent assault, with two counts of sexual assault carried out against a student in the 1990s (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThere was a total of 53 counts within both books of evidence (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThis week McClean pleaded guilty to 23 counts of abusing 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMost charges are of indecent assault, while two are of sexual assault carried out against a student in the 1990s. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeIn January 2023 McClean pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault relating to two boys during the 1980s. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcClean later pleaded guilty to a further 23 counts relating to abuse of another 20 boys at the college between 1971 and 1992. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe affirmed guilty pleas at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of indecent assault sent forward from the District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan remanded him in custody to be sentenced on 23 February (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe will be arraigned on the 49 further charges on the next date (irishtimes.com)
- courtAll complainants have submitted victim impact reports (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing could last up to two days (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan adjourned the case for sentencing to 1pm on Friday (irishtimes.com)
- courtSeveral injured parties read victim impact statements, including one man by video-link from the US (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe sentencing continues before Judge Martin Nolan and is expected to conclude on 24 February (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe arraignment took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge noted there were 22 complainants, some abused once and others up to eight times (irishtimes.com)
- courtA number of pupils were present in court for evidence on Thursday and sentencing on Friday, some via video link from overseas (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe hearing took place in the Criminal Courts of Justice (irishtimes.com)
- courtA number of pupils whom McClean abused were present in court over the two-day hearing, some via video link from overseas. (thejournal.ie)
- courtSeán Guerin SC, for McClean, launched the appeal against the severity of the sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe State argued that allowing McClean to serve no additional jail time for abusing 22 additional victims would have been unfair. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice George Birmingham said the court would reserve judgment in the case. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Pauline Codd sentenced McClean in February 2021 for the abuse of 23 victims. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment in the case. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe was initially given an eight-year sentence in 2021 for abusing 23 pupils. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe pleaded guilty to abusing 22 more boys at the college between 1971 and 1992. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found the sentencing judge erred in principle and that the global sentence did not stand up to rigorous analysis. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice John Edwards delivered the judgment on behalf of a three-judge Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcClean is already serving an eight-year sentence from 2021 for abusing 23 pupils (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMcClean is serving an eight-year sentence handed down in 2021 for abusing 23 pupils. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMcClean was sentenced to four more years for sexually abusing 22 boys over three decades from the 1970s to the 1990s. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe is already serving an eight-year sentence which expires in February 2027. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Martin Nolan said the four years is to commence on expiry of the existing sentence, giving an effective sentence of 12 years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceMcClean was jailed for an additional four years and will remain in prison until 2030 (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was already serving an 11-year sentence with the final three years suspended, imposed in 2021 for abusing 23 pupils (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed four additional years and refused to suspend any of it (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe combination of the 2021 sentence and the new term was 12 years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcClean was sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual abuse of 22 boys at Terenure College over a 20-year period. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe four-year sentence runs consecutively to his current eight-year sentence and will begin in February 2027. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Nolan said he would have imposed a longer sentence if McClean was not already serving a substantial sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceGlobally, McClean will be serving a 12-year sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced McClean in February 2021 for abusing 23 victims. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcClean was given consecutive sentences totalling 12 years, which he has complained were too severe. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Nolan's four-year sentence will begin when McClean's first sentence is served in February 2027. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Codd's sentence for the first tranche of victims was reduced to a final sentence of eight years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Martin Nolan imposed a consecutive four-year sentence in February 2023 for the abuse of 22 further victims. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe four-year sentence will begin when the first sentence is served in February 2027. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Martin Nolan gave him a four-year sentence in February 2023, to run consecutive to his first sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the February 2023 sentence and resentenced McClean to a global term of 10 and a half years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe resentence is a global term of 10 and a half years in prison for all 45 offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcClean is currently serving an 11-year sentence with the final three years suspended for abusing 23 Terenure College pupils (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcClean has 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of young boys under the age of 18 who attended Terenure College (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcClean's defence counsel said he was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer (irishtimes.com)
- otherKennedy waived his right to anonymity (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe Carmelite Order accepted it was a grave failure that John McClean was not stopped. (rte.ie)
- otherMcClean was 78 years old at the time of sentencing. (rte.ie)
- otherThe total number of boys proven to have been abused at the college is 45. (rte.ie)
- otherMcClean joined the teaching staff at Terenure College in 1966 at age 21. (rte.ie)
- otherHe targeted vulnerable children and those involved in sports, bringing boys aged 12 to 17 to offices and changing rooms to indecently assault and sexually abuse them. (rte.ie)
- otherHe told the boys he needed to treat their sports injuries or check their development. (rte.ie)
- otherJudge Martin Nolan said McClean was a determined and persistent offender whose proclivities were well known and he should have been stopped earlier. (rte.ie)
- otherFr Michael Troy said the Carmelites were truly sorry for the failure to stop McClean. (rte.ie)
- otherThe Carmelite Order said counselling and therapy can be arranged for victims and survivors at no cost. (rte.ie)
- otherThe Order said it swiftly offers financial compensation and several civil legal actions are ongoing. (rte.ie)
- otherDamien Hetherington waived his anonymity and said it would have been better if McClean had been jailed 20 or 30 years ago. (rte.ie)
- otherHetherington said he has had no direct contact and never received an apology from Terenure College. (rte.ie)
- otherHe is regarded as one of the most prolific sex offenders in the history of the State, with more than 40 known victims (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe has 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of boys under 18 who attended Terenure College (irishtimes.com)
- otherOffences before 1990 are referred to as indecent assault; a 1991 Act changed the charge to sexual assault (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcClean will be 84 years old upon his release from prison. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcClean has 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of young boys under 18 who attended Terenure College. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThere are 22 complainants, some abused on a single occasion and others three, four, six, seven or up to eight times. (thejournal.ie)
- otherJudge Nolan noted McClean was a teacher in a position of trust who used that position to gratify his own needs. (thejournal.ie)
- otherJudge Nolan noted no one took steps to stop the abuse. (thejournal.ie)
- otherTwo books of evidence were served with 22 victims in total and 53 counts overall. (thejournal.ie)
- otherOffences before 1990 are referred to as indecent assault; a 1991 act changed the charge to sexual assault and increased sentencing terms. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcClean had 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of young boys who attended Terenure College. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcClean complained that the consecutive sentences totalling 12 years were too severe. (thejournal.ie)
- otherCounsel for McClean argued the decision was an error in principle. (thejournal.ie)
- otherCounsel for the State argued that a concurrent sentence would not have reflected the victims' suffering. (thejournal.ie)
- otherTwenty-two new people came forward after the first sentencing in 2021. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Jul2024Former Terenure College rugby coach John McClean successfully appeals sentence for sexual abuse cases
Court of Appeal ruling on sentence severity; quashes the February 2023 sentence and sets a global 10.5-year term for all 45 offences.
convicted, John McClean, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McClean - 12 Feb2024Ex-rugby coach John McClean claims consecutive jail terms for child sex abuse were too severe
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing on McClean's appeal against the consecutive sentence imposed by Judge Martin Nolan in February 2023, with the State and the defence arguing the sentence length; judgment was reserved.
convicted, John McClean, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McClean - 12 Feb2024Former Terenure College rugby coach John McClean appeals against consecutive sentences for sexually abusing pupils
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of McClean's appeal against sentence, the State's submissions, and that judgment was reserved.
convicted, John McClean, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McClean - 24 Feb2023Former Terenure Rugby Coach To Serve Four More Years After Admitting Sexually Abusing Another 22 Boys
The article reports the sentencing of a former Terenure Rugby Coach to four additional years for sexually abusing 22 boys. The body of the article contains only website template code with no further substantive detail beyond the headline.
convicted, malevictim, male - 24 Feb2023Ex-rugby coach jailed for further four years for sexually assaulting 22 boys at Terenure College
Reports the sentencing of McClean to four years for 27 counts involving 22 boys, running consecutively to his 2021 eight-year sentence, making his global sentence 12 years. Details the judge's remarks, mitigation factors, and the structure of the 53 counts across two books of evidence.
convicted, John McClean, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, male - 24 Feb2023Former Terenure College teacher John McClean jailed for four years for sex attacks
Reports the sentencing of John McClean to an additional four years for 27 counts of sexual abuse of 22 boys at Terenure College (1971–1992). He will remain in prison until 2030. Judge Martin Nolan noted the combined 2021 and 2023 sentences total 12 years.
convicted, John McClean, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, male - 24 Feb2023'Grave failure' abuser was not stopped - Carmelites
Adds the Carmelite Order's response calling the failure to stop McClean a 'grave failure', details of Judge Martin Nolan's sentencing reasoning (effective 12-year sentence), victim Damien Hetherington's public comments, and confirmation that the Garda investigation is complete with no outstanding allegations.
suspect, John McClean, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, Damien Hetherington, male, irish (judged from name)Damien Hetherington - 23 Feb2023‘You stole my innocence’: Victim of John McClean waives right to anonymity
Provides Paul Kennedy's full victim impact statement, including his waiver of anonymity, details of how McClean groomed him after his father's terminal cancer diagnosis, and the impact of the abuse over nearly 50 years. Confirms the arraignment on 23 counts and the January guilty pleas to four further counts.
victim, Paul Kennedy, 60, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Kennedyconvicted, John McClean, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McClean - 23 Feb2023Ex-Rugby Coach John McClean Admits To Sexually Assaulting 20 Boys At Terenure College
Article body consists only of website template code; substantive detail is limited to the headline.
accused, John McClean, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, male - 23 Feb2023‘May you rot in hell’: Victims speak in court after ex-rugby coach admits sexual abuse of boys
Adds details of victim impact statements read in court, including Paul Kennedy's account of grooming after his father's terminal cancer diagnosis and another victim's direct address to McClean; confirms McClean was arraigned on 23 counts and that sentencing was adjourned to 24 February.
accused, John McClean, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, Paul Kennedy, 60, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Kennedy - 23 Feb2023John McClean told to rot in hell as past pupils describe how he abused them at Terenure College
Provides detailed victim impact statements from the 22 February 2023 court hearing, confirms McClean pleaded guilty to 23 counts (21 indecent assault, 2 sexual assault) that day, notes he has 96 previous convictions, and records the adjournment for sentencing to 24 February 2023.
suspect, John McClean, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, Paul Kennedy, 60, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Kennedy - 11 Jan2023Former rugby coach and teacher at Terenure College pleads guilty to indecently assaulting boys
Reports the guilty plea to four counts of indecent assault, remand for sentencing on 23 February, and the 49 further counts of sexual assault to be arraigned on the next date.
suspect, John McClean, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCleanvictim, malevictim, male