Teacher found guilty of professional misconduct for kissing and hugging student

A teacher in a special school who kissed a female student on the lips after hugging her has been found guilty of professional misconduct by a fitness-to-teach committee.

Fergal McCarthy, chairperson of the committee, said the committee had found on Wednesday that five factual allegations against the teacher had been proven.

These included that on May 13th, 2025, the teacher hugged the student (19), put his arms around her waist and lifted her.

It was claimed that on May 16th, 2025, the teacher hugged the student, kissed her on the cheek and on the lips and stroked her on the cheek.

It was also alleged that the teacher, in the context of this inappropriate physical contact, said to the student “don’t tell anyone” or words to that effect.