Category: Sexual Abuse Law

Spiritan Abuse: Blackrock College Survivor Questions Order’s Appeal in Ireland

A survivor of Blackrock College abuse has questioned the Spiritans’ approach to reaching survivors in Ireland following an appeal concerning Fr Ted Colleton.

Dunderrow School Abuse

Survivors of child sexual abuse at Dunderrow National School in County Cork are seeking government compensation following the landmark European Court of Human Rights ruling in O’Keeffe.

Carmelites criticised over hearing date objection in Terenure College abuse claim in Ireland

The Carmelite Order and Terenure College’s board of management have been criticised in the Irish High Court for opposing the fixing of hearing dates in civil proceedings brought.

Taoiseach raises historical abuse redress with Pope Leo: What it means for survivors in Ireland

Taoiseach Micheál Martin raised the failure of Irish religious orders to engage with historical abuse redress during a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 22 May 2026.

Sexual assault civil claim in Ireland: DRCC records its busiest year

Its annual report, published in May 2026, also recorded 838 therapy clients, a 31.5% increase from 2024 and nearly 70% higher than in 2024, along with 850 accompaniment sessions across.

High court orders Christian Brothers to disclose member details for abuse claims in Ireland

Irish courts have required the Congregation of the Christian Brothers to disclose the names and addresses of surviving members to claimants pursuing civil abuse claims in Ireland.

Child sexual abuse survivors criticise the pace of Ireland’s historical school abuse investigation

Ireland’s child sexual abuse commission, formally known as the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools.

Sexual abuse civil claim: legal battle over alleged abuse continues

A man has failed in his bid to prevent his sister from pursuing a sexual abuse civil claim for damages over allegations of sexual abuse and rape committed against.

RTE Investigates to spotlight the Christian Brothers abuse and asset handling

Coleman Legal senior Solicitor, Philip Treacy , will appear on the highly anticipated RTE Investigates programme tonight, Thursday, 1 May, at 9.35 pm on RTE One and RTÉ Player, entitled.

Christian brother who sexually assaulted seven boys while teaching in Kilkenny school had also abused 22 others

It has now come to light that a Christian brother who sexually assaulted seven boys while teaching at Kilkenny School over 40 years ago had also sexually abused an additional 22 boys.

John McClean, a former rugby coach at Terenure College, has been found guilty of assaulting four more youths

John McClean, a former rugby coach at Terenure College who is currently serving prison time for sexually abusing 45 boys, has been found guilty of abusing four more youths.

Radiographer found guilty of professional misconduct at Tallaght Hospital

A radiographer dismissed from his position at Tallaght Hospital following a complaint about his conduct while carrying out an X-ray on a 16-year-old patient in 2023 has been found.

Personal trainer at Mullingar gym convicted of sexual assault

35-year-old Shane Flynn, the owner of NGS Gyn and Rehabilitation Clinic (now known as Recode), was convicted of sexual assault at Mullingar Circuit Court on the 23rd of October, 2024.

Taxi driver who sexually assaulted teenage passenger handed five and a half year sentence

Taxi Driver Naveed Rana Sentenced to 5.5 Years for Sexual Assault of Young Woman in Dublin. A five-and-a-half-year prison sentence has been handed down to a taxi driver.

Special needs schools account for a disproportionate number of historical sexual abuse claims at religious-run institutions

Of the almost 2,400 sexual abuse allegations revealed in the scoping inquiry report published early last week, a shocking 590 alleged allegations of sexual abuse in special needs.

Garda­ contacted over 160 times in three days following publication of inquiry into sexual abuse at religious schools

An Garda Síochána announced on Saturday that they had already received more than 160 contacts regarding sexual abuse at religious schools since launching their appeal for information.

Former school swim coach derry O’Rourke jailed for 10 years for rape and sexual assault

Derry O’Rourke of Virginia Road, Cavan, a former Irish swim coach, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for the sexual assault and rape of a young girl between October 1989.

Former girls swim coach found guilty of child sexual abuse for a fourth time

Derry O’Rourke of Virginia Road, Cavan, a former Irish international swim coach, has been convicted of rape, child sexual abuse and sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court .

Campaigner Louise O’Keefe urges stricter supervision on abuse redress efforts

The Government has recently come under fire from Louise O’Keefe, a campaigner for the rights of child sex abuse victims in State-run schools. Ms O’Keefe won a case before the European.

A former teacher and judge, Gerard O’Brien misused his disability to sexually assault students

A former judge and teacher (59-year-old Gerard O’Brien) who misused his disability to sexually assault students has been found guilty of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual.

Penneys security guard sentenced for sexually assaulting teenage customer

A 35-year-old security guard has been sentenced to five years in prison after he sexually assaulted a teenage customer at his workplace. Abdul Rahman Mohammed of Mountjoy Square.

11-year prison sentence for Kildare man who locked his ex in a car to viciously beat her

A Kildare man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after he permanently injured his ex-partner in a ferocious assault. The assault took place after the attacker, Anthony Mockler.

Former scout leader and prolific paedophile sentenced to prison

This week at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a six-year and eight-month prison sentence on a former scout leader convicted of sexually assaulting five young boys.

Former DUP Leader faces historical sex charges at Newry Court

Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, has appeared at Newry Magistrates Court to respond to charges of historical sexual offences. The 61-year-old was taken into custody and formally.

Abuse survivor waives anonymity as her father is sentenced to 13 years in prison

Noreen (abuse survivor) has waived her anonymity for her abuser also to be named. 69-year-old Patrick Honan of Doonbeg, Co Clare, has been jailed for the sexual abuse of his daughter.

Report reveals 93 abuse complaints against Jesuit Priest

Jesuit Priest Joseph Marmion taught primarily at Belvedere College but also spent time at Clongowes Wood College, Kildare, and Crescent College, Limerick.

HSE commission comprehensive review of nursing home where resident was raped

The Health Service Executive has announced plans for a comprehensive review of the records of nursing home residents in a facility where a staff member raped a resident in 2020.

Spiritan Congregation agrees to settlement in Rockwell College sexual abuse claim

The Spiritan Congregation has agreed to settle Derek McCarthys (58) sexual abuse claim four years after it was initiated. The settlement was agreed upon at a meeting last week.

McDonald’s to launch investigation into workplace bullying targeted at rape victim

McDonalds UK and Ireland CEO Alistair Macrow has confirmed that the organisation will launch an investigation into claims that a former employee, Ciara Mangan (28), was the victim.

Survivor-centred, scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools announced by minister For education

Last month, an announcement from the Department of Education said that they would be taking a serious approach to their response after revelations emerged of historical sexual abuse.

John McClean, former teacher at Terenure college, to serve 12 years total imprisonment

John McClean was back in the Dublin Circuit Criminal. Court last Friday for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to over 20 counts of abusing former students of Terenure College between.

52 legal cases to be heard over Scouting Ireland sexual abuse allegations

More than 50 victims have come forward with allegations of historical sexual abuse, which they report to have happened while they were children taking part in Scouting Ireland Groups.

Former Terenure college teacher and rugby coach pleads guilty to two abuse offences

John McClean, a former teacher and rugby coach at Terenure College, appeared at the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin’s CCJ this morning and pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two.

Over €1m paid out in compensation by the vincentian community after 45 instances of abuse alleged against 9 priests

The vincentian community are one of many religious orders accredited with the operation of several schools nationwide. These include St Patrick’s College in Armagh and Castleknock.

Review of child sexual abuse in st john ambulance complete

The examination, headed by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, a former special rapporteur on child protection, considered interviews from up to 100 people, including victims and members of St John.

Follow-up brandon report sparks fears of further abuse

A second report into incidents of sexual abuse in ard greine court, a disability centre in Donegal, has sparked fears that further allegations of assault will be uncovered.

Attorney general advises against the publishing of the complete brandon report

The department of health has been advised by the attorney general not to publish the full report on the sexual abuse of residents at an HSE -run centre for people with disabilities.

Former scout leader sentenced to five years in prison for sexual assaults on 10 boys

A former scout leader was sentenced to prison for five years at a sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to 29 charges of sexually and indecently assaulting ten.

Concerns regarding child abuse in st john ambulance described as “open secret”

Former members of the st john ambulance paramedic organisation have claimed that concerns about alleged child sexual abuse in the 1990s by a past senior officer were an “open secret”.

Oxfam aid workers face further allegations of sexual exploitation and mismanagement

In 2018, it was revealed by the times that sexual exploitation by oxfam workers in haiti, from 2010 to 2011, had been covered up. but despite being recently cleared to apply.

Oireachtas justice Committee hears submissions on provision of independent legal representation for victims of sexual assault

On march 24th, the oireachtas justice Committee began hearing evidence on the issues surrounding giving testimony by victims of rape and sexual assault . as well as receiving numerous.

Further allegations of sexual assault have emerged in relation to Irish defence forces

Concerns have been raised by numerous former members of the defence forces in relation to the manner in which allegations of sexual abuse and assault have been handled. it is claimed.

Dr. Geoffrey shannon to head review into historical abuse at st john ambulance

The board of st john ambulance has appointed dr. Geoffrey shannon as the head of an independent probe into the handling of historical child sex abuse allegations.

Further victim of fr. Joseph marmion comes forward regarding abuse at belvedere college

Joseph marmion SJ who had “abused boys sexually, emotionally and physically” while he taught at belvedere college Dublin from 1969 until 1978. On tuesday 2nd of march, 2021, the Jesuit.

Jesuit order release name of priest who abused students at belvedere college

Belvedere college school, Dublin, has publicly named a Jesuit priest, father joseph marmion SJ, “who abused boys sexually emotionally and physically” during his time as a teacher.

French actor gerard depardieu was charged with rape and assault of an actress in her 20s

Renowned French actor gerard depardieu (72) was charged with the rape and assault of an actress in her 20s on tuesday. The first incident allegedly happened on August 7th and the second.

Former Terenure college teacher admitted sexual abuse to a senior priest when questioned 25 years ago

A former teacher and rugby coach was sentenced for 27 counts of indecent assault on 23 schoolboys aged between 12 and 17 at Terenure college in south Dublin between 1973 to 1990.

Retired former scout leader from Cork arrested for alleged sexual assault of young boys

A former scout leader from Co. Cork was arrested and charged with 26 counts of sexual assault and 1 count of attempted sexual assault of former young boys from the Catholic Boy Scouts.

Former Dublin school rugby coach admits sexual abuse of 23 victims

Former Dublin school teacher and rugby coach John McClean (aged 75) pleaded guilty at the Circuit Criminal Court to 27 charges of indecent assault to young schoolboys between the period.

Scouting Ireland Abuse Report

The Scouting Ireland abuse report into the alleged cover-up of sexual abuse in the organisation was published on May 15th, 2020. The revelations were extremely damning, immediately.

Publication of ‘damning report’ leads to calls for Garda Investigation of sexual abuse Cover-Up by Scouting Ireland

The publication of an official report into historical cases of sexual abuse involving Scouting Ireland has stated that there is evidence of a complete lack of regard for the young.

Sexual abuse lawsuits caused boy scouts of America to file for bankruptcy

The BSA filed for bankruptcy after sexual abuse lawsuits filed against the organisation in several states, claiming the organisation failed to prevent incidents from occurring.

Scouting Ireland’s abuse claims requests public examination

The handling of sex abuse allegations arising out of the activities of members of the former Scouting organisations the Catholic Boy Scouts in Ireland and Scouting Association.

The additional 80 claims recently announced may only be the tip of the iceberg

Children’s Minister, Katherine Zappone, stated yesterday that there have been an additional 80 people who have contacted the Scouts helpline within the last week.

Sexual abuse allegations in Scouting Ireland

As with any profession involving the care of children, Scouting Ireland must adhere to strict guidelines regarding Garda vetting of volunteers, both senior and junior, to ensure.

Government opposition to Fianna Fáil motion on abuse victim redress

A motion put forward by Fianna Fáil to ensure all survivors of child sex abuse in primary school can seek redress from the State is being opposed by the Government has been opposed.

Alleged assault at Dublin boarding school investigated

An investigation is under way into an alleged assault that took place in the Lucan area last Thursday 24th November. This has been confirmed by Gardai.

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission requests the Council of Europe to assess whether Irish rulings on abuse claims are meeting Strasbourg standards

The Council of Europe has been requested to carry out a review for the purposes of assessing whether or not Ireland is in compliance with rulings delivered by the European Court.

Kincora boys’ home – NI abuse survivors compensation ‘could reach €30m’

Kincora Boys’ Home – NI abuse survivors compensation ‘could reach €30m’. The number of victims that could be eligible to make claims over their treatment in institutions from 1922-1995.

HSE aware of ‘mary’ case much sooner than first admitted

It has recently been discovered by RTE’s investigative programme ‘This Week’ that the HSE were aware of the ‘Mary’ case involving a young woman with intellectual disabilities.

The right to anonymity in sex offence cases in Ireland

There are variations between UK anonymity laws and those in Ireland as has been highlighted by trials of various TV soap stars in the UK for sex offences.

Male domestic abuse

A recent ruling in the family court has refused a safety order for a husband who locks himself into his bedroom nightly out of alleged fear of his wife.