John McClean, Who Abused 45 Boys, Has Prison Term Recued By 18 Months, With Judges Citing "Unduly Severe" Sentence

Thursday, 4 July 2024 14:53

By Martin Osborne

John McClean was not in court today having chosen not to be present.

An effective 12-year prison sentence handed down to John McClean for abusing boys in the 1970s, '80s and '90s has been set aside and he was resentenced today.

The judges felt the original sentence he received for sexual offences arising out of his time as a teacher and rugby coach at Terenure College in Dublin was "unduly severe".

Up until this morning, John McClean was serving an eight year prison sentence for sexually abusing 23 boys at Terenure College.

Once that sentence was served, a consecutive sentence of four years was due to kick in for the abuse of 22 other former students.

However, the Court of Appeal today ruled that the effective 12-year sentence was unduly severe.

Taking the gravity of the offences into account, as well as his guilty pleas, remorse, age and poor health - the judges felt the original overall sentence was 18 months longer than it should have been.

With that in mind, they then set aside the original sentence and resentenced him to 10 and a half years in prison.

John McClean was not in court today having chosen not to be present.

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