Thursday 29 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. 7356Indecent assault of a child · Co. Dublin

Teacher denies indecently assaulting boy student in 1985 at Dublin trial

Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, of Donegal Town, Co Donegal, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for two counts of indecently assaulting a boy who was 13 at the time. The alleged offences took place between June 1 and September 1, 1985, while she was a student teacher at a Dublin school, and are said to have happened at the boy's home, where she gave him grinds. She pleaded not guilty to both counts. On Monday, October 16, 2023, she took the stand, denied the allegations and said she never had sexual relations of any kind with the boy, and the trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Oct
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, is accused of indecently assaulting a boy who was 13 at the time.
Where
  • The alleged offences are said to have happened while she worked as a student teacher at a school in Dublin.
  • Two alleged indecent assaults happened in the boy's home, where she gave him grinds.
  • It is also alleged there was sexual contact on a holiday in Spain with the boy's family.
When
The alleged offences were on dates between June 1 and September 1, 1985.
Other details
  • She was 24 or 25 at the time of the alleged offences.
  • She told the court she never had sexual relations of any kind with the boy.
  • The Irish Mirror reports she claims the boy said he was 'in love' with her.
Charges
She pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a child.
In court
  • The trial is being heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
  • She took the stand on Monday, October 16, 2023, and denied the allegations against her.
  • A witness who was on holiday in Spain with her gave evidence for the defence.
  • The trial is ongoing and no verdict has been reported.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offences are said to have happened while the accused worked as a student teacher at a school in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereTwo alleged indecent assaults happened in the boy's home, where the accused gave him grinds. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereIt is alleged there was also sexual contact on a holiday in Spain. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged incidents happened while the accused worked as a student teacher at a school in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereIt is alleged she indecently assaulted the boy twice in his home, where she gave him grinds. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereIt is alleged there was also sexual contact between the boy and the accused on a holiday in Spain with his family. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences were on dates between June 1 and September 1, 1985. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe accused has pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a child. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a child. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is being heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused denied the allegations against her. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused took the stand at her Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial and denied the allegations against her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe boy was 13 at the time of the alleged offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused denied that she ever had sexual relations of any kind with the boy. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused told the court she never had sexual relations of any kind with the boy. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Oct2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Teacher accused of indecent assault of student claims he said he was 'in love'

    First report of the trial: the accused took the stand and denied the allegations, and a holiday companion gave evidence for the defence.

    accused, Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, female, named, irish (judged from name)Jacintha McSherry O'Connorvictim, 13 at the time of the alleged offences, male
  2. 16 Oct2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Teacher denies indecently assaulting male student 38 years ago

    Reports the trial testimony of the accused, who denies both counts, and of a witness who was on holiday in Spain with her.

    accused, Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, female, named, irish (judged from name)Jacintha McSherry O'Connorvictim, 13 at the time of the alleged offences, male