Ireland Former student teacher found guilty of indecently assaulting boy in 1985
A jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, guilty by majority on two counts of indecent assault against a 13-year-old boy on dates between June 1 and September 1, 1985, when she worked as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school. It was alleged that the offences took place in the boy's home. McSherry O'Connor had pleaded not guilty and denied having any sexual relations with the boy, and the verdicts were returned on 20 October 2023 after 11 hours of deliberation. The judge remanded her on continuing bail and adjourned the case for a sentence hearing on 8 November 2023, which is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted20 Oct
2 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The boy was aged 13 at the time of the offending, and reports differ on his age now, with one giving it as in his 50s.
- The accused, Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, was aged between 24 and 25 at the time of the offending and is 63 now.
- Where
- The abuse was alleged to have occurred while the accused worked as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school.
- It was alleged that the accused indecently assaulted the boy on two occasions in his home.
- When
- The offences were alleged to have occurred between June 1 and September 1, 1985.
- Charges
- The accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting the child.
- Investigation
- The accused denied having any sexual relations of any kind with the boy.
- In court
- On 20 October 2023 the jury returned majority guilty verdicts on two counts of indecent assault after 11 hours of deliberating.
- The jury's verdicts were reported as following a four-day trial.
- Sentence
- The judge adjourned the case for a sentence hearing on 8 November 2023 and remanded the accused on continuing bail.
- Other details
- No charges were before the jury over alleged incidents on a holiday in Spain, as they pertained to a different jurisdiction.
- Reports state the accused has since been refused garda vetting to teach and is not currently working as a result.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe boy was aged 13 at the time of the offending. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe jury returned majority guilty verdicts on two counts of indecent assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe abuse occurred while the accused worked as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereIt was alleged that the accused indecently assaulted the boy on two occasions in his home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse was alleged to have occurred while the accused worked as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school. (irishtimes.com)
- whereIt was alleged that the boy was indecently assaulted on two occasions in his home. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences were alleged to have occurred between June 1 and September 1, 1985. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences were alleged to have taken place between June and September 1985. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe accused denied having sexual relations of any kind with the boy. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting the child. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court returned majority guilty verdicts on two counts of indecent assault after 11 hours of deliberating. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case for sentence hearing on 8 November and remanded the accused on continuing bail. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge adjourned the case for a sentence hearing on November 8th. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe defendant was remanded on continuing bail. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused denied ever having sexual relations of any kind with the boy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo charges were before the jury over alleged incidents on a holiday in Spain, as they pertained to a different jurisdiction. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused has since been refused garda vetting to teach and is not currently working as a result. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Oct2023Female teacher found guilty of sexually assaulting male student 38 years ago
Reports the jury verdicts after a four-day trial, the adjournment for a sentence hearing on November 8th, and that the accused has since been refused garda vetting to teach.
convicted, Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, female, named, irish (judged from name)Jacintha McSherry O'Connorvictim, 50s, male - 20 Oct2023Teacher guilty of sexual abuse of male student 38 years ago
Reports the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury's majority guilty verdicts on two counts of indecent assault, the defence and prosecution closing points, and the adjournment for sentence hearing on 8 November.
convicted, Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, female, named, irish (judged from name)Jacintha McSherry O'Connorvictim, 13 at the time of the offences, male