Retired teacher found not guilty of indecent assault

A retired school teacher has been found not guilty of indecently assaulting two students at a school in the midlands in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

A jury of 12 people returned not guilty verdicts on six charges of indecent assault against one child between September 1, 1988, and June 30, 1991.

A not guilty verdict was also returned, by order of the trial judge, on one count of indecently assaulting a second boy during the same date range.

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

Judge Keenan Johnson noted that the trial, which began last week at Mullingar Circuit Court, has been “a difficult time for all parties”.

“The Criminal Justice system is a very blunt instrument,” he said, adding that he wants to “wish all the parties well”.

“The criminal process has taken its course and we have to respect the verdict,” he concluded.