Thursday 5 November 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. 0450Sexual assault · Co. Kilkenny

Names of 341 former Christian Brothers published in Kilkenny sexual assault case

A man was sexually assaulted by former Christian Brother Liam Coughlan, a man aged 90, while attending CBS school on Stephen Street, Kilkenny in the 1970s. Coughlan was jailed in 2023 for sexually assaulting the man and 23 other former pupils, and was separately convicted of sexual assault of nine pupils at a CBS school in Portarlington, Co Offaly, in the 1980s. The man is now suing the Congregation of the Christian Brothers in the High Court, and the congregation has refused to put forward a nominee for litigation. Judge Mary Rose Gearty ordered the names of 341 former Christian Brothers to be published in a national newspaper as a means of service, and said she would not rule out serving the Pope regarding Canon Law. Further defendants were added, bringing the total to 435, and the matter was adjourned four weeks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Aug
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was sexually assaulted by former Christian Brother Liam Coughlan, a man aged 90, while attending CBS school on Stephen Street, Kilkenny in the 1970s.
Where
The abuse took place at CBS school on Stephen Street, Kilkenny.
When
The abuse occurred in the 1970s.
In court
  • The man is suing the Congregation of the Christian Brothers in the High Court for damages for past sexual abuse.
  • Judge Mary Rose Gearty ordered the names of 341 former Christian Brothers to be published in a national newspaper as a means of serving summonses.
  • The congregation refused to put forward a nominee for litigation, and Brother Gibson refused to act as a nominee.
  • Andrew Nugent BL successfully argued to join further defendants, bringing the total to 435.
  • The judge said she would not rule out serving the Pope regarding Canon Law.
  • The matter was adjourned four weeks.
Sentence
  • Coughlan was jailed in 2023 for sexually assaulting the man and 23 other former pupils in the 1970s, receiving two jail terms of three years and two months and four-and-a-half years for 49 counts of indecent assault.
  • Coughlan was convicted of sexual assault of nine former pupils at CBS primary school in Portarlington, Co Offaly, in the 1980s, and sentenced to five years in jail.
Other details
  • Coleman Legal is to ask Judge Gearty in the autumn for permission to serve summonses by newspaper advertisement in three other cases.
  • Approximately 100 men still in the congregation are also being joined as defendants.
21 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe litigant was sexually abused at CBS school on Stephen Street, Kilkenny. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe 341 men were all Christian Brothers between September 1974 and December 1979. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe abuse occurred in the 1970s. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe names of 341 former Christian Brothers were published in a national newspaper following a court order. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCoughlan was convicted of sexual assault of nine former pupils at CBS primary school on Patrick Street, Portarlington, Co Offaly, in the 1980s, following a trial by jury at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThere are at least 50 such cases lodged in the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Mary Rose Gearty of the High Court ordered that 341 former members could be served with their summons by way of a newspaper advertisement. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtColeman Legal is to ask Judge Gearty in the autumn for permission to serve summonses by newspaper advertisement in three other cases. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said she is not suggesting to serve the Pope at this stage but would not rule it out. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe High Court previously granted permission for the names of more than 300 members or former members to be published in a national newspaper. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtAndrew Nugent BL successfully argued to join further defendants, bringing the total number to 435. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered the matter to be adjourned for four weeks. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceLiam Coughlan, aged 90, was jailed in 2023 for sexually assaulting the man and 23 other former pupils in the 1970s. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCoughlan was sentenced to five years in jail for the Portarlington offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceIn 2023, Coughlan received two jail terms of three years and two months and four-and-a-half years for 49 counts of indecent assault. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe congregation is not putting forward a nominee for litigation in cases where litigants seek damages for past sexual abuse. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherApproximately 100 men still in the congregation are also being joined as defendants. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe president of the Circuit Court, Keenan Johnson, said it was likely Coughlan would die in jail. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrother Gibson has refused to act as a nominee for the congregation. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherAll co-defendants were members of the Congregation of the Christian Brothers between 1 July 1971 and 30 June 1977. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe case was brought by a plaintiff who was abused by Christian Brother Liam Coughlan (90) while the victim attended school in Co Kilkenny in the 1970s. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Nov2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, its first report
    Judge not ruling out contacting Pope over Canon Law in relation to Christian Brothers abuse case

    Judge Gearty said she would not rule out serving the Pope regarding Canon Law; court granted permission to add further defendants bringing total to 435; additional warning letter to be sent to Christian Brothers' European headquarters in Marino, Dublin; matter adjourned four weeks.

    victimaccused, Liam Coughlan, 90, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam Coughlan
  2. 4 Aug2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Names of 341 former Christian Brothers published following court order in sex abuse case

    Reports on the High Court order to publish names of 341 former Christian Brothers as civil defendants, details of Liam Coughlan's criminal convictions (2023 jailing and Portarlington trial), the congregation's legal strategy of refusing a nominee, and the planned extension of the newspaper service to three further cases.

    victim, maleconvicted, Liam Coughlan, 90, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam Coughlan