The Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to make a decision soon on the case of a former principal of a Dublin school accused of abusing boys over nearly three decades.
Allegations were first made about the man last year by a teenage boy who had been referred for counselling when he developed difficulties at school. The boy is believed to have dropped out of school and, during counselling, alleged he had been abused by the man, who is now retired. Gardai and school authorities contacted former pupils and detectives investigating the allegations have taken statements from up to 12 men who allege the man abused them as schoolboys.
A number of people interviewed said some of the alleged abuse had taken place on school sports trips to Britain. It is believed a number of these allegations relate to incidents on the ferry between Dublin and Liverpool.
Teachers and colleagues of the man were also interviewed in relation to the allegations, which span a period from 1969 to 1996. The man is now in his 60s.
Earlier this year the DPP returned the file to gardai, saying some of the allegations could not be prosecuted in Ireland as they related to alleged incidents on the ferry or in Britain. Gardai are believed to have considered referring some aspects of the file to British police. There appears to be some confusion over which jurisdiction the alleged abuse took place during sea-crossings.
The man was interviewed by gardai when the investigation began about a year ago. Among the allegations in the statements made by former pupils are that the man sexually abused them in his office, classrooms, his car and his house, as well as allegations relating to school trips.
Gardai have made inquiries with ferry operators, hotels and hostels in Britain to verify dates of these trips. The former principal is believed to have called a former school colleague a number of months ago and arranged to meet him at a Dublin hotel. At the meeting the man told his former colleague the allegations were untrue.
According to a source close to the investigation, the man is "extremely well-respected" by people in his Dublin home. Almost a year ago he rang at least one former pupil at his office, and called to another man's office, saying he wanted to make contact. It is believed gardai have recommended two charges, one of sexual assault and a second of gross indecency. When the DPP returned the first file he is believed to have requested information on specific dates of the alleged offences, as well as questions of jurisdiction.
If the DPP decides to recommend prosecution, a number of alleged victims are believed to be willing to give evidence in court. It is not clear if any of the alleged victims will consider taking civil actions. In the case of such actions, the name of the person suing the State or the individual is disclosed in court. If the DPP recommends a criminal prosecution the identity of the alleged victims will be protected.
