Former Principal Aidan Clohessy Sentenced to Four Years for Indecent Assault

Aidan Clohessy, an 85-year-old former principal of St. Augustine's School in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of 19 counts of indecent assault against six boys over a span of three decades. The sentencing took place on June 23, 2025, at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, following two separate trials that highlighted Clohessy’s long history of abuse, which occurred between 1969 and 1986.

Judge Elva Duffy presided over the first trial, where Clohessy was found guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault, primarily involving inappropriate touching of two boys aged 10 to 13 at the time of the offenses. In a victim impact statement, one survivor described the lasting trauma of the abuse, stating, “The pain imposed on me as a child has never truly gone away.” Furthermore, during the proceedings, it was revealed that Clohessy had been a respected educator, leading a school that catered to children with mild to moderate learning disabilities.

The court noted Clohessy’s health and advanced age as factors that may complicate his time in prison. Defense counsel, Ronan Kennedy SC, argued that Clohessy had lived a life of service, including a mission in Malawi from 1993 to 2013 to develop mental health services. However, Judge Duffy emphasized that the severity of Clohessy’s actions against vulnerable children warranted a significant sentence.

In the second trial, Clohessy was found guilty of five additional counts of indecent assault. Victim statements during the hearings underscored the pervasive impact of the abuse on their mental health, education, and future employment opportunities. In one harrowing testimony, a victim recounted how the trauma had affected his ability to interact with his own children, stating, "I struggled to learn my wedding vows or to read my children a story."

Clohessy, who was originally from County Limerick and had joined the religious order after completing his Leaving Certificate in 1958, has not indicated any intention to appeal the jury's verdicts. During the trials, he maintained his innocence concerning the allegations but acknowledged the use of corporal punishment in the school, which included striking boys on their bare buttocks, claiming it was reserved for serious offenses.

The court's decision reflects ongoing societal efforts to address historical sexual abuse in educational settings, particularly within religious institutions. Clohessy's case is part of a broader reckoning with sexual misconduct that has surfaced in recent years, particularly in Ireland, where various institutions have faced scrutiny for their handling of abuse allegations.

Judge Duffy's sentencing aims to provide a measure of justice to the victims, with the hope that it may assist them in their journeys toward healing. The case also raises critical questions about the safeguarding of children in educational environments and the accountability of those in positions of authority. As Clohessy begins his prison term, the implications of this case will likely resonate within communities still grappling with the legacy of institutional abuse.

In conclusion, Aidan Clohessy’s conviction and subsequent sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting vulnerable populations. The judicial system's response to this case reflects a growing commitment to confronting past abuses and ensuring that such atrocities do not occur again in the future.