Sixth man is charged with abuse at boys' industrial school in west

New charges of indecent assault have been brought against a sixth man, a former Christian Brother, following further Garda investigations…

New charges of indecent assault have been brought against a sixth man, a former Christian Brother, following further Garda investigations into allegations of sexual abuse at an industrial school in the west between 1959 and 1991.

Until yesterday, five other Christian Brothers had faced a total of 76 charges of indecent and physical assault against teenage boys in their care at the industrial school.

The sixth man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Galway District Court yesterday where he was charged that on or about 1980, he assaulted a boy in his care, occasioning him actual bodily harm.

He was further charged with two counts of indecently assaulting another boy at the same time, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

READ MORE

Det Garda Pat Heskin told Galway District Court yesterday that he arrested the man on foot of a warrant issued by the same court on August 11th. When arrested, the man replied: "Not guilty" to the three charges.

Insp John Courtney asked to have the man, who was in Garda custody, remanded on his own bail until November 4th, by which time a book of evidence would be served.

Solicitor, Mr Garret Sheehan, defending, said it was one of a series of related cases and he asked for them all to be dealt with together.

Judge John O'Neill remanded the man on his own bail of £500 to appear before the court again on September 9th. He granted bail on condition that the man would stay away from the injured parties in the meantime.

Two other Christian Brothers also appeared before the court on fresh charges relating to the same industrial school.

Det Garda Mick Moran gave evidence that he arrested one of the men yesterday morning on foot of a warrant issued by the court on August 11th. The man, who faces other charges relating to the same case, was further charged yesterday with two counts of committing buggery against a boy in his care on dates between March 16th, 1987, and March 15th, 1988, and with two counts of indecently assaulting the same boy, also between those dates.

Judge O'Neill remanded the man on continuing bail to appear before the court again on November 4th. The third man, a Christian Brother, also faced new charges yesterday. He was charged with two counts of indecently assaulting a boy in or about August 23rd, 1975, and August 22nd, 1976.

Judge O'Neill remanded him on continuing bail to appear before the court on September 9th.