Former judge Gerard O’Brien's conviction for sexually abusing six young men upheld
The Irish Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of former judge Gerard O'Brien for the sexual abuse of six young men during his time as a teacher. O'Brien's appeal, which claimed the original trial judge's instructions were biased, was rejected by the court.
Why it matters
This case highlights the legal system's handling of historical sexual abuse allegations involving high-profile public figures and the importance of judicial integrity.
A former Circuit Court judge has failed in a bid to overturn his conviction for attempted rape and the sexual abuse of six young men when he was a teacher 30 years ago.
In December 2023 Gerard O'Brien (61), of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six victims.
The Court of Appeal heard that when O'Brien was interviewed on a voluntary basis by investigating garda , he initially denied the allegations.
However, he subsequently provided pre-prepared statements in which he acknowledged sexual activity with two of the complainants but asserted that this was consensual.
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