Retired teacher goes on trial accused of indecent assault of students

The trial of a retired school teacher accused of indecently assaulting two students at a school in the midlands in the late 1980s and early 1990s is due to begin tomorrow.

The man, who cannot be named due to the nature of the alleged offences, appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson this morning at Mullingar Circuit Court, where a jury was empanelled for a trial, which is expected to run into late next week.

The accused was arraigned on seven counts of indecent assault, six of which were against one injured party, and a seventh against a second victim.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between September 1, 1989, and June 30, 1991, and involved two counts of feeling one victim’s legs, three counts of feeling him on his underpants, and one count of touching him.

A seventh count on the indictment involved the touching of a second victim’s genitals.

All offences are alleged to have occurred on the premises of the school, at which the accused was a teacher.

The accused pleaded not guilty to each of the charges when arraigned before a jury panel this morning.

Evidence in the trial will begin at 10am tomorrow.