High Court confirms three-month suspension of Dublin physiotherapist Igor Castro for administering unlicensed Botox-like product
John Merrick, a man aged 78, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of indecent assault on a 10-year-old boy at St Vincent's Primary School, Glasnevin, Dublin, between September 1979 and June 1980, and was sentenced on 28 July 2025 to nine months' imprisonment with the final five months suspended. Separately, Brazilian physiotherapist Igor Castro, who operates a practice on O'Connell Street, Dublin, was found by a Coru fitness-to-practise committee to have administered the unlicensed Korean product Liztox to three clients in October 2023 and to have demonstrated poor professional performance. High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville confirmed Coru's three-month suspension of Castro from the register of physiotherapists, starting in October. Merrick, a former Christian Brother and headmaster of the school, has 21 previous convictions for similar offences.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court28 Jul
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Merrick pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on a 10-year-old boy at St Vincent's Primary School, Glasnevin, Dublin.
- The victim described Merrick rubbing his back, opening buttons on his shirt, sliding his hand inside his underwear and fondling his testicles.
- Igor Castro administered Liztox, an unlicensed Korean botulinum toxin product similar to Botox, to three clients at his practice on O'Connell Street, Dublin.
- When
- Merrick's offence occurred between September 1979 and June 1980; Castro administered Liztox in October 2023.
- Where
- The indecent assault took place at St Vincent's Primary School, St Philomena's Road, Glasnevin, Dublin; Castro's practice is on O'Connell Street, Dublin.
- In court
- Merrick's case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Pauline Codd; High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville confirmed Coru's sanction on Castro.
- Sentence
- Merrick was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with the final five months suspended; Castro was suspended from the register of physiotherapists for three months starting in October.
- Other details
- Merrick has 21 previous convictions for similar offences of indecent assault.
- The Coru fitness-to-practise committee found Castro demonstrated extremely poor judgment and brought the profession into disrepute, with little or no risk of repetition.
- Merrick was headmaster of the school and a former Christian Brother who joined the order at age 14 and left in 1982.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMerrick pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on a 10-year-old boy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim described Merrick rubbing his back, opening buttons on his shirt, sliding his hand inside his underwear and fondling his testicles. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIgor Castro administered an unlicensed Botox-like product to a number of clients. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe product was Liztox, a Korean botulinum toxin product similar to Botox used for aesthetic treatments. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe posted on his Instagram account between October and November 2023 promoting that he was administering the Botox-like product. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence occurred on a date between September 1st, 1979 and June 30th, 1980. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe administered Liztox to three clients at his practice in October 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Pauline Codd. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHigh Court president Mr Justice David Barniville confirmed the Coru sanction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCoru solicitor JP McDowell of Fieldfisher solicitors represented Coru in the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMerrick was given a nine-month sentence with the final five months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was suspended from the register of physiotherapists for three months, starting in October. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMerrick has 21 previous convictions for similar offences of indecent assault. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe incident stopped when the school secretary came into the office. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMerrick confirmed in interview that he was headmaster of the school. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMerrick joined the Christian Brothers order at age 14 and left in 1982. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMerrick worked as a schoolteacher until 1986 and then became a tour guide. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim suffers from flashbacks from being abused as a child. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMerrick undertook counselling with the Granada Institute, a treatment centre for those who sexually abused children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge identified breach of trust and age disparity as aggravating factors. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA single count of indecent assault carries a penalty of two years if the offence was before 1981. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSix references were handed into the court including one from Merrick's wife. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe is a Brazilian national. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe made a full admission and was very apologetic for what happened. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe committee found he demonstrated extremely poor judgment and brought the profession into disrepute. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe committee was satisfied there was little or no risk he would repeat the conduct. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was undertaking continuous education for the purpose of improving his skills. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2025High Court confirms suspension of Dublin-based physio who gave Botox-like drug to clients
High Court confirmed Coru's three-month suspension sanction; details of the fitness-to-practise findings and the judge's reasoning provided.
convicted, Igor Castro, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishIgor Castro - 28 Jul2025Ex-Christian Brother and headmaster at Dublin school jailed over indecent assault
Sentencing report. Merrick pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on a 10-year-old boy at St Vincent's Primary School, Glasnevin, between September 1979 and June 1980. He received a nine-month sentence (five months suspended) from Judge Pauline Codd. The victim, now 55, came forward after reading about Merrick's 2024 conviction. Merrick has 21 previous convictions for similar offences.
victim, 10, maleconvicted, John Merrick, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Merrick