Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6562Sexual assault and indecent assault (sexual abuse of pupils) · Co. Dublin

John McClean appeals consecutive sentences for sexually abusing pupils

John McClean, a 79-year-old former Terenure College rugby coach in Dublin, was convicted of sexually abusing 45 pupils at the college over more than 20 years, with the offences dated between 1971 and 1992 or 1993 depending on the source. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February 2021 for abusing 23 victims, and Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him in February 2023 for abusing 22 others. The consecutive sentences total 12 years, and McClean has appealed their severity. In February 2024 the Court of Appeal heard the appeal, the State argued that concurrent sentences would not have reflected the victims' suffering, and Mr Justice George Birmingham reserved judgment.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • McClean was convicted of sexually abusing a total of 45 pupils over more than 20 years.
  • The offences were sexual assault and indecent assault against pupils.
Where
The abuse involved pupils at Terenure College in Dublin, where McClean was a teacher and rugby coach.
When
The offences were committed between 1971 and 1993, according to one source, or between 1971 and 1992, according to another.
Charges
  • McClean pleaded guilty in January 2023 to four counts of indecent assault relating to two boys during the 1980s.
  • McClean later pleaded guilty to a further 23 counts relating to abuse of 20 other boys at the college.
Other details
McClean had 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of young boys who attended Terenure College.
Sentence
  • Judge Pauline Codd sentenced McClean at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February 2021 for abusing 23 victims.
  • Judge Martin Nolan sentenced McClean in February 2023 for abusing 22 further victims.
  • McClean received consecutive sentences totalling 12 years, which he has complained were too severe.
  • Judge Nolan's four-year sentence will begin when McClean's first sentence is served, in February 2027.
In court
  • Seán Guerin SC, for McClean, launched the appeal against the severity of the sentence at the Court of Appeal.
  • The State argued that allowing McClean to serve no additional jail time for the 22 later victims would not have been fair and just.
  • Mr Justice George Birmingham said the court would reserve judgment in the appeal.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcClean was convicted of sexually abusing a total of 45 pupils over more than 20 years. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe abuse involved pupils at Terenure College, where McClean was a teacher. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences were committed between 1971 and 1993. (irishtimes.com)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • otherMcClean had 96 previous convictions, all for indecent assault of young boys who attended Terenure College. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2024
    Otheririshtimes.com, follow-up
    Former 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