Former Rugby Coach & Teacher Admits To Sexually Abusing Over 20 Boys At Private School In Dublin

Thursday, 23 February 2023 15:27

By Caoimhe Harney

The court heard much of the abuse took place as he pretended to treat injured players

A former teacher and rugby coach at Terenure College has admitted sexually abusing over twenty former students at the private school in Dublin.

78-year-old John McClean, of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, Dublin, abused them on various dates between 1971 and 1993.

John McClean used to teach English at Terenure College and also coached rugby at the school.

In 1980, he was appointed first year form master which provided him with an office - just one of the places where he abused these students, some of whom were as young as 12 years old.

McClean was nicknamed ‘doc’ and a lot of the abuse took place as he pretended to treat injured rugby and soccer players.

One of the survivors was 15 year old when McClean essentially groomed him after pretending to console him when he found out his father had cancer.

In his victim impact statement, he described Terenure College as a 'safe place for paedophiles.'

Another survivor described McClean as a 'monster' who he hoped would 'rot in hell.'

The sentence hearing continues.

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