Alleged sex assault in school sick bay

A boarding school student in 1979 described in court yesterday how he was indecently assaulted in the sick bay by a priest who was also dean of discipline.

This was the allegation made against the accused man, Tadhg O’Dalaigh, aged 70, of Woodview, Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin, who denied yesterday he indecently assaulted the boy on a date in March or April 1979.

The charge stated that, on that occasion, the defendant masturbated the student until he ejaculated at the sick bay of Colaiste An Chroí Naofa, Carraig na bhFear, Co Cork. O’Dalaigh pleaded not guilty. He was put on trial yesterday before Judge Donagh McDonagh and a jury of 10 men and two women.