Ireland Case No. 11646Indecent assault · Co. Dublin
Retired Christian Brother sentenced for indecent assault in Dublin
Paul Hendrick, a 75-year-old retired Christian Brother and former principal of CBS Westland Row in Dublin, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecently assaulting Kenneth Grace, who was aged 13 when the abuse began in May 1980 and continued until Grace was around 17. The offences took place at the school in Dublin and at locations in Tipperary and Waterford. Grace made a statement to gardaí in 2018, and Hendrick attended a garda station voluntarily in December 2018, where he was interviewed six times. On 10 July 2023, Judge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Hendrick to four years, with the final six months suspended on condition of continued counselling.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Feb
- Convicted24 May
3 reports - Sentenced10 Jul
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul Hendrick, a 75-year-old retired Christian Brother and former principal of CBS Westland Row, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecently assaulting Kenneth Grace.
- The abuse began with extra tuition and gifts, escalating to wrestling, restraint, and whipping with a leather thong.
- Where
- The offences took place at CBS Westland Row in Dublin, including a windowless furnace room, and at locations in Tipperary and Waterford.
- When
- The offences occurred between May 1980 and July 1984, when Grace was aged 13 to around 17.
- Investigation
- Grace made a statement to gardaí in 2018, and Hendrick attended a garda station voluntarily in December 2018, where he was interviewed six times.
- Charges
- Hendrick pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault with 11 further counts taken into consideration, though an earlier report stated he pleaded guilty to two counts with 11 others to be taken into consideration.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Pauline Codd.
- Sentence
- Hendrick was sentenced to four years, with the final six months suspended on condition of continued counselling.
- Other details
- Hendrick will be placed on the sex offenders register.
- Grace has been diagnosed with PTSD and Hendrick had no previous convictions.
- Grace is pursuing a civil High Court action against the Christian Brothers over the abuse.
110 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPaul Hendrick is a 75-year-old man. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPaul Hendrick pleaded guilty to eleven counts of indecently assaulting Kenneth Grace. (rte.ie)
- whatThe activities escalated to include whipping. (rte.ie)
- whatHendrick pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecently assaulting Kenneth Grace. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe Christian Brothers are pursuing a legal strategy aimed at protecting their assets in a High Court case. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKenneth Grace is suing the congregation over sexual abuse by Paul Hendrick, a retired member of the Christian Brothers. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHendrick would restrain Grace's legs and arms and rub himself up behind him. (rte.ie)
- whatHendrick began to wear a fake leather thong and the activities escalated to include whipping. (rte.ie)
- whatHendrick would whip Grace with a leather whip or tell Grace to whip him. (rte.ie)
- whatHendrick initially gave Grace extra tuition, got him to help with odd jobs, and gave him gifts of sweets, cans of coke, and later cigarettes. (rte.ie)
- whatThe victim was aged 13 and a first-year student at CBS Westland Row when the incidents started (thejournal.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- whatHendrick entered the Christian Brother order at age 14 (thejournal.ie)
- whatHendrick joined the teaching staff at CBS Westland Row in 1978 and became principal in 1981 (thejournal.ie)
- whatHendrick retired from the principal post in 1994 (thejournal.ie)
- whatHendrick helped set up the Life Centre charity in 1996 (thejournal.ie)
- whatHendrick has been treated for cancer (thejournal.ie)
- whatGrace has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe abuse continued until Grace was around 17 (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe victim received extra tuition from Hendrick and was asked to help with jobs around the school for which he received sweets and cans of Coke. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatAs the victim got older, he was given cigarettes and allowed to use the school van. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe abuse started with Hendrick challenging the victim to see who could do more pull ups, progressing to wrestling while initially fully clothed, though later both in their underwear. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Grace recalls feeling Hendrick's erect penis against his back during these incidents. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe abuse escalated to include Hendrick stripping to his underwear and getting the victim to whip him or whipping the victim. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Grace's sister saw the marks on his back on one occasion and he told her Hendrick had done it. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe abuse continued until Mr Grace was around 17, a few months before he sat his Leaving Certificate. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Grace was isolated from his classmates during his time in the school and Hendrick would shout at him during classes. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at the Christian Brothers School in Westland Row, Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
- wherePaul Hendrick is from Croftwood Grove, Ballyfermot, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe first incident happened in the school furnace room, which Mr Grace called the Dungeon. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at locations including Dublin, Tipperary and Waterford. (irishtimes.com)
- whereSome incidents took place in the furnace room of the school. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAbuse took place at a number of locations, including the furnace room of the school. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereHendrick also indecently assaulted the victim on camping trips to a Christian Brothers farm in Co Waterford and a house in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe abuse occurred at Westland Row CBS in Dublin, where Hendrick was a teacher and school principal. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe first incident happened in the school furnace room, which Grace called 'the Dungeon'. (rte.ie)
- whereIncidents happened on school holidays at a farm owned by the Christian Brothers in Waterford and at a residence in Co Tipperary. (rte.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place at locations in Dublin, Tipperary and Waterford (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place in the furnace room of CBS Westland Row (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe abuse continued during camping trips to a farm in Co. Waterford and a house in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (thejournal.ie)
- whereAbuse took place in a windowless furnace room at the school. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offences took place at locations including in Dublin, Tipperary and Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereSome abuse took place in the furnace room of the school. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse occurred at locations including Dublin, Tipperary and Waterford. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place in the furnace room of the school, which the victim would be asked to clean. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe incidents also took place in a reception room of the priest's residence beside the school. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereHendrick indecently assaulted the victim during camping trips to a farm managed by the Christian Brothers in Co. Waterford. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereHendrick also indecently assaulted the victim at a house owned by the order in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe assaults occurred on dates between May 1980 and July 1981. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse started in May 1980 and continued until Mr Grace was almost at the end of sixth year. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences took place between May 1980 and July 1984. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse started when the victim was 13 and a first-year student at CBS Westland Row. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe offences were committed between May 1980 and July 1984. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe abuse started in May 1980 and continued weekly until Grace was almost at the end of sixth year. (rte.ie)
- whenThe incidents occurred on dates between May 1980 and July 1984 (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe victim was 13 in 1980 when the abuse began. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred between May 1980 and July 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe abuse began when the victim was 13 and a first-year student at CBS Westland Row. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe abuse continued until the victim was around 17. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe abuse took place between May 1980 and July 1984. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationHendrick attended a garda station voluntarily with his solicitor on 13 December 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMr Grace made a statement to gardaí in 2018. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationHendrick attended a garda station voluntarily on December 13, 2018, and was interviewed six times, denying the allegations. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGrace made a statement to gardaí in 2018 (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHendrick attended the garda station voluntarily with his solicitor on 13 December 2018 (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHendrick was interviewed on six occasions (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe victim made a statement to gardaí in 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePaul Hendrick pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeEleven other counts are to be taken into consideration by the court. (rte.ie)
- chargePaul Hendrick pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault. (rte.ie)
- chargeEleven other counts were taken into consideration by the judge. (rte.ie)
- chargeHendrick pleaded guilty to the abuse earlier this year. (irishtimes.com)
- chargePaul Hendrick pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecently assaulting Kenneth Grace. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtPaul Hendrick appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan set a sentencing date of 24 May. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHendrick was remanded on bail until the sentencing date. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHendrick has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Pauline Codd adjourned the case for finalisation and remanded Hendrick on continuing bail to 10 July. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Pauline Codd adjourned the case for finalisation and remanded Hendrick on continuing bail to appear again on July 10. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudgment in default was confirmed against 29 retired members of the congregation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtUnless orders were made against a further 61 brothers, who have until July 13th to enter an appearance. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Finnegan asked the court to direct mediation between the plaintiff and his clients, which Mr Grace is resisting. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Pauline Codd presided over the sentencing hearing. (rte.ie)
- courtThe sentencing hearing was held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Pauline Codd said the duration of the abuse was an aggravating factor. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSentencing was adjourned until 10 July. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHendrick will be sentenced later this year. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceThe defence noted Hendrick will be placed on the sex offenders register. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHendrick is awaiting sentencing in the criminal courts after pleading guilty to abusing Mr Grace. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a sentence of four years but suspended the final six months on condition that Hendrick continue to attend counselling. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum penalty available to the court was 10 years (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHendrick was sentenced to four years for the sexual abuse of a student. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe final six months of the sentence were suspended on condition that Hendrick continued attending counselling. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Codd said the offences warranted a sentence of four years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months of the sentence were suspended on condition that Hendrick continue recommended treatment under the Probation Service. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHendrick was jailed for three and a half years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe defence asked the court to take into consideration the guilty pleas and the time that had passed since the offences. (rte.ie)
- otherHendrick was second-in-command at the school and later became principal. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- otherHendrick will be placed on the sex offenders register. (tipperarylive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherGrace was vulnerable as his father had died at a young age. (rte.ie)
- otherHendrick had no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
- otherA psychological report showed Hendrick had demonstrated shame and insight. (rte.ie)
- otherHendrick entered the Christian Brothers at 14 years old. (rte.ie)
- otherGrace described Hendrick as a monster who gave him a prison sentence no innocent child deserved. (rte.ie)
- otherGrace said he had struggled with depression and anxiety as a result of the abuse. (rte.ie)
- otherHendrick had no previous convictions, which the judge took into account in mitigation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHendrick's name will go on the sex offenders' register. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHendrick engaged in grooming behaviour that had a significant impact on the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe maximum penalty available to the court was 10 years because the law at the time of the offending applied. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Grace's father passed away when he was very young. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jul2023BREAKING: Retired principal jailed for indecent assault of pupil at Tipperary location
Provides full details of the sentencing hearing: the four-year sentence with six months suspended, the victim impact statement, the judge's remarks on the life-long psychological harm, and defence submissions including the forensic psychology report.
victim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Graceconvicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrick - 10 Jul2023Retired school principal jailed over indecent assault of pupil 40 years ago
Reports the sentencing of Paul Hendrick at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, including the guilty plea to 11 counts, the sentence and suspension, and the victim impact statement and defence submissions.
convicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrickvictim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Grace - 10 Jul2023Former principal of Christian Brothers’ school jailed for four years for sexually abusing pupil in 1980s
Reports the sentence: four years with the final six months suspended on condition of continued counselling, and that Hendrick will go on the sex offenders' register. Adds the victim's name (Kenneth Grace, who waived anonymity), the 1980 start date, the guilty plea, the place of the abuse, and the aggravating and mitigating factors the judge cited.
victim, Kenneth Grace, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Graceconvicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrick - 10 Jul2023Retired school principal jailed for the indecent assault of a pupil over 40 years ago
Full sentencing details: Judge Pauline Codd imposed four years with six months suspended on condition of continued treatment; victim impact statement, judge's remarks on grooming and the prevailing culture of religious orders, and defence submissions including testimonials and a forensic psychology report.
victim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Graceconvicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrick - 10 Jul2023Retired Christian Brother jailed for abusing student
Provides full details of the sentencing hearing: Judge Codd's remarks on the breach of trust and grooming, the victim impact statement from Kenneth Grace, the specific sentence of four years with six months suspended, and detailed descriptions of the abuse including locations and methods.
victim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Graceconvicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrick - 20 Jun2023Christian Brothers trying to protect assets in High Court case, court told
Reports the civil High Court action by Kenneth Grace against the Christian Brothers over Paul Hendrick's abuse, and says Hendrick is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty.
victim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Graceconvicted, Paul Hendrick, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrick - 24 May2023Retired principal to be sentenced for indecently assaulting pupil at locations including Tipperary
Adds that Hendrick pleaded guilty to 11 counts, that the case was adjourned for finalisation with a return date of July 10, and details of the abuse locations, the victim's account and the defence's mitigation.
convicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrickvictim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Grace - 24 May2023Former CBS Westland Row school principal and Christian Brother to be sentenced for indecent assault
Court report from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 24 May 2023: Hendrick pleaded guilty to 11 counts and will be sentenced later. It adds the victim impact statement, defence submissions, the offence locations, the garda investigation history and the adjournment date.
convicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrickvictim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Grace - 24 May2023Retired principal to be sentenced for abusing student
Reports the guilty plea to 11 counts, with 11 other counts to be taken into consideration. Sentencing was adjourned to 10 July.
victim, Kenneth Grace, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Graceconvicted, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrick - 27 Feb2023Man pleads guilty to indecent assault at Christian Brothers school in Dublin
Reports the guilty plea to two counts of indecent assault and the setting of a sentencing date of 24 May by Judge Patricia Ryan, with Hendrick remanded on bail pending full facts being heard.
suspect, Paul Hendrick, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hendrickvictim, male