Former rugby coach John McClean, already serving time for previous offenses, has been convicted of further abuse, marking another grim chapter in the ongoing case. This article details the recent sentencing of John McClean for abusing additional teenagers, adding too the already devastating impact of his actions. Learn the specifics of the case and the court’s handling of the sentencing related to the former coach so readers can gain more insight into how the law deals with those who commit such despicable acts.
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Former Rugby Coach John McClean Convicted of further Abuse
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Former rugby coach John McClean, already serving a prison sentence for sexually abusing dozens of boys, has been convicted of abusing four additional teenagers. McClean, 80, a former teacher at Terenure Collage in Dublin, received a two-year sentence Wednesday for these latest offenses, which will run concurrently with his existing sentence.
Details of the Case
McClean, formerly of Casimir Avenue, Harold’s Cross, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seven counts of indecently assaulting the four boys between 1973 adn 1990 while he taught at Terenure College. The victims, who wish to remain anonymous, have consented to McClean being named.
Detective sergeant Charlie Dempsey told Paul Murray, senior counsel for the prosecution, that the four complainants contacted the Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, after media coverage of mcclean’s previous convictions.
McClean taught at Terenure College from 1966 to 1996, becoming a first-year form master in 1980. He also coached rugby and was known as Doc
as students frequently enough sought his help for injuries.
mcclean's Existing Sentence
The two-year sentence is to be served concurrently with McClean's existing 10½-year sentence for the sexual abuse of 45 boys, all students at Terenure College. This existing sentence is a global sentence, reflecting the totality of his crimes.
In 2021, McClean received an 11-year sentence, with the final three years suspended, for the sexual abuse of 22 teenage boys. In 2023, a consecutive four-year sentence was added in relation to 23 further complainants. However, this sentence was appealed, and the Court of Appeal reduced it to 2½ years. This resulted in an overall sentence of 10½ years for the abuse of all 45 victims.
Defense Arguments and Court Ruling
Sean Guerin, senior counsel representing McClean, argued that the Court of Appeal’s ruling provided an assessment of a global sentence range to reflect his client’s overall offending, considering the principles of totality and proportionality. Guerin suggested a concurrent sentence for the four new complainants, arguing that the offenses fell within the spectrum of McClean’s other crimes and occurred during the same period.
Guerin stated that McClean is apologetic and has accepted duty for his actions. The court also heard that McClean suffers from several health issues, including cancer and cardiac difficulties. Medical reports and references were submitted to the court.
Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged McClean’s position of trust and how he took advantage of his position to molest and sexually assault these particular pupils.
However, Nolan noted that the Court of Appeal had set a sentencing range of 8½ to 10½ years for McClean’s global misbehaviour
against all the boys, stating, saeid to this court, and any court in future that we can’t go beyond that 10½ year sentence.
The judge said the court was constrained by that direction,
which it respected. He commended the complainants for coming forward and the Garda Síochána for their inquiry.
Victim Impact Statements
One of the four men told the Garda Síochána he believed McClean preyed on him opportunistically, stating McClean abused his position and was a good teacher and coach, but also a very nasty piece of work.
Another of the men read his victim impact statement to the court, expressing a sense of relief and that a weight of shame
had been lifted from him. He said he had carried feelings of shame and anger towards himself for too long.
He outlined the impact on his education, noting he was robbed of self-worth by a representative of an institution that should have protected me.
He added that he is beginning to feel at peace with the support of his family and can move on as justice has been served.
Two further victim impact statements were submitted to the court but not read aloud.
Tone/Personality: Authoritative and clear.
