Four men who were sexually abused as children by former Olympic swimming coach Gerard Doyle have settled their High Court actions on undisclosed terms.
The four had sued both Doyle and New Ross Town Council, as Doyle’s employer as a swimming coach at New Ross Swimming Pool in Co Wexford.
After several hours of talks on Tuesday, David McGrath SC told Mr Justice Anthony Barr the cases against the council were all settled and could be struck out.
The action against Doyle could also be struck out, counsel said.
The court heard judgment was entered against Doyle last November in default of defence and the case against him was for assessment of damages only.
The four plaintiffs sued in relation to the sexual abuse which took place on different dates in the 1980s and 1990s.
Jailed
Doyle (52), a former national and Olympic swimming coach of Ard Alainn, Wexford Street, New Ross, was sentenced to six and half years in prison in July 2012 after being convicted of 35 sex-related offences against children committed over a decade.
Doyle had pleaded not guilty at Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court to one charge of sexual assault and 34 charges of indecent assault.
The offences took place at New Ross Swimming Pool between January 1981 and December 1993 when Doyle was manager of New Ross Swimming Club and manager of the pool.
After a five-day trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict on the sexual assault charge and 34 indecent assault charges.
Protection
Doyle had previously been convicted of the offences at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to six and half years in prison but a re-trial was ordered following an appeal to the High Court.
In their High Court cases against Doyle and New Ross Town Council, the four men claimed that there was a failure on behalf of the council to prevent them being subjected to sexual abuse.
They also alleged failure to ensure Doyle was a competent and suitbale person to interact with young persons.
It was further claimed there was failure to remove Doyle or relieve him from his duties when they knew, or ought to have known, of his sexual proclivities.
The claims were denied.
