Trial of religious brother for indecent assault at Blackrock school set for 2024

St John Of God Brother Aidan Clohessy (82) is former principal of St Augustine’s School for boys with learning disabilities

Br Aidan Clohessy was head of St Augustine’s School in Blackrock, Co Dublin
Br Aidan Clohessy was head of St Augustine’s School in Blackrock, Co Dublin

A St John Of God Brother, that was principal of a school for boys with learning disabilities, is to go on trial in 2024 charged with indecently assaulting four boys at the school.

Aidan Clohessy (82) of Hospitaller Order of St John of God, Grenada, Stillorgan faces nine charges of indecently assaulting four boys at St Augustine’s School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin on dates between August 31st, 1968 and August 17th, 1986.

The defendant was formerly principal of the school.

On Thursday Brother Clohessy appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where Judge Martin Nolan set a trial date for November 18th, 2024. He remanded him on continuing bail to that date.

READ MORE

At an earlier court date, Judge Nolan lifted reporting restrictions put in place by the District Court that prevented the media from naming the defendant. This followed an application by lawyers representing RTÉ, The Irish Times, the Irish Independent and the Irish Mail on Sunday.