Saturday 31 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. 20443Assault (sexual)

Man in his 60s seeks damages from school teacher for childhood groping

A man in his 60s has asked the High Court to assess damages against a former schoolteacher, whom he says sexually abused him around 1967 when he was about 10. He says the teacher touched his genitals between 10 and 20 times during class, and once tried to put a finger in his anus. He says he blocked out memories of the abuse for most of his life and first disclosed it to a doctor during treatment for back pain. At the damages hearing reported on 5 July 2023, the teacher did not appear, and the case was adjourned to hear medical evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The man was about 10 years old when the alleged abuse took place.
  • The man says the teacher put his hand down the boy's trousers and felt his genitals.
  • The man says that on one occasion the teacher tried to put a finger in his anus and stopped after he started to struggle.
  • The man says the abuse happened between 10 and 20 times, with boys called to the front of the class while other pupils put their heads down on their desks.
Other details
  • The man says he blocked out memories of the abuse for most of his life.
  • The man had two accidents that caused back injuries and chronic pain.
  • He first revealed the abuse to a doctor during treatment for his back pain.
  • He says learning the teacher was still alive caused him a complete mental breakdown and suicidal thoughts.
When
The alleged assaults took place around 1967.
Charges
No criminal charge is reported; the case is a civil claim for damages.
In court
  • The High Court was asked to assess damages in the civil claim.
  • The teacher did not appear, and the damages hearing went ahead in his absence.
  • The case was adjourned to hear medical evidence.
  • David McGrath SC, with David Burke BL, represented the man.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man was about 10 years old when the abuse took place. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe abuse involved the teacher putting his hand down the boy's trousers and feeling his genitals. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOn one occasion the teacher tried to put a finger in the boy's anus. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe abuse happened between 10 and 20 times. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe teacher called boys to the front of the class and told other pupils to put their heads down on their desks. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man blocked out memories of the abuse for most of his life. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man had two accidents causing back injuries and chronic pain. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe first revealed the abuse to a doctor during treatment for his back pain. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatLearning the teacher was still alive caused the man a complete mental breakdown and suicidal thoughts. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe assaults took place around 1967. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court was asked to assess damages in the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe teacher did not appear in court for the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDavid McGrath SC, with David Burke BL, represented the man. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Court asked to assess damages for man who says he was groped by school teacher

    Reports on a High Court damages assessment hearing where a man in his 60s claims a school teacher groped him between 10 and 20 times around 1967. The teacher did not appear, and the case was adjourned to hear medical evidence.

    victim, 60s, maleaccused, male