Ireland Case No. 5699Indecent assault · Co. Dublin
Former Christian Brother jailed for indecent assault of two pupils
Between September 1977 and June 1978, John Merrick (77), a former Christian Brother, committed indecent assaults against two pupils, both now 58, at a school in Dublin. Earlier abuse was reported in 1996, and Merrick was convicted in 1998 and given suspended sentences. One of the men reported the abuse to gardaí in 2022. Merrick pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts against one pupil and three against the other, and in June 2024 he was sentenced to a total of 22 months, with 10 months suspended on strict conditions for 12 months, leaving 12 months to be served in prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Jun
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- John Merrick (77), a former Christian Brother, pleaded guilty to indecent assault against two pupils.
- Both victims are now 58 years old.
- Where
- The abuse took place at a school in Dublin.
- When
- The offences took place between September 1977 and June 1978.
- Earlier incidents of abuse were reported in 1996, and Merrick was convicted in 1998.
- Investigation
- The first victim reported the abuse to gardaí in 2022.
- Charges
- Merrick faced four charges of indecent assault against one sixth class pupil and three charges against the pupil's classmate.
- In court
- Merrick pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- The judge found that the victims' youth and the breach of trust were the most significant aggravating factors, and that the guilty plea spared the two men from giving evidence.
- Sentence
- The earlier conviction resulted in a six-month suspended sentence and a 12-month suspended sentence.
- Judge Codd imposed 12 months for the offences against the first man and a consecutive 10-month term for the offences against the second man, totalling 22 months.
- The final 10 months were suspended on strict conditions for 12 months.
- Other details
- Merrick entered the Christian Brothers order at 14 and left in 1981 after meeting his now wife; he has two children and several grandchildren.
- The maximum penalty available under the law at the time was two years.
29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBoth victims are now 58 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatJohn Merrick pleaded guilty to four charges of indecent assault against one pupil and three charges of indecent assault against his classmate. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place at a school in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe abuse occurred on dates between September 1977 and June 1978 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe earlier incidences of abuse were reported in 1996 and he was convicted in 1998 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place between September 1977 and June 1978. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe first man reported the abuse to gardaí in 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe faced four charges of indecent assault against one sixth class pupil (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe faced three charges of indecent assault against the pupil's classmate (irishtimes.com)
- courtMerrick pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge found that the victims' youth and the breach of trust were the most significant aggravating factors. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe earlier conviction resulted in a six-month suspended sentence and a 12-month suspended sentence (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Codd imposed 12 months for the offences against the first man (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA consecutive 10-month term was imposed for the offences against the second man (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe total sentence was 22 months in prison (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed 12 months for the offences against the first man and a consecutive 10-month term for the offences against the second man. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceConsecutive sentences totalling 22 months were imposed, with the final 10 months suspended on strict conditions for 12 months. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMerrick entered the Christian Brothers order at the age of 14 (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe left the order in 1981 after meeting his now wife (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe has two children and a number of grandchildren (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had previous convictions from the District Court for similar offending around the same time (irishtimes.com)
- otherMerrick engaged in a sex offender treatment programme at the time of the earlier convictions (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe subsequently engaged in the restorative justice programme (irishtimes.com)
- otherOne of the victims took the stand to read his victim impact statement (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim said he cannot bear for anyone to touch him (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim said Merrick used his power to take advantage of him (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe maximum penalty available under the law at the time was two years (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said the maximum penalty available at the time was two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMerrick pleaded guilty, which the judge said showed acceptance of responsibility and spared the two men from giving evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Jun2024Ex-Christian Brother jailed for molesting two pupils in school 47 years ago
Reports the sentencing of John Merrick for historical abuse of two pupils in a Dublin school; the offences date from 1977 to 1978, and the article gives no earlier stage of the case.
convicted, John Merrick, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Merrickvictim, 58, malevictim, 58, male - 11 Jun2024Former Christian Brother jailed for 12 months for abuse of two pupils in Dublin school
Reports the sentencing of John Merrick for indecent assault of two pupils, including the victim impact statement, the judge's remarks on the law at the time, and the suspended portion of the sentence.
convicted, John Merrick, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Merrickvictim, 58, malevictim, 58, male