Care worker abused 12-year-old boy in state institution

A CARE WORKER who habitually abused a 12-year-old boy in an institution brought the child to a cabbage patch late at night and told him he would be buried there if he informed anyone of the abuse, the High Court heard yesterday.

On one occasion when the child returned from attending a school doctor, having complained of rectal bleeding, the careworker was waiting with a hurley in his hand and pulled it across the child’s face, breaking his nose.

Solicitor Martin Hayden outlined these and other incidents which befell Raymond Noctor, aged 45, of Leinster Crescent, Dublin Road, Carlow, who has brought an action against the State, the Minister for Education, St Joseph’s Industrial School, Kilkenny, the South Eastern Health Board and the Minister for Health.

Liability has been admitted for gross indecency and assault perpetrated against Mr Noctor, and the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan, has been asked to assess damages.

Mr Noctor told the court that for so many years the State had let him and others like him wander around and did not provide for them.

Those defendants now wanted to take some glory by accepting liability. It was 30 years too late but he was still alive and well and hoped to provide for his children. The State had done him serious injury and he welcomed the recent apology made on behalf of the State (by the Taoiseach).

Mr Hayden, opening the action on behalf of Mr Noctor, said he was one of 14 children. His mother died at the age of 43 on the day he was making his First Holy Communion. His father was unable to cope and the family split up. He and his younger brother were sent to St Joseph’s, run by the Sisters of Charity.

While there, he was severely and repeatedly sexually and physically abused and tortured. Acts of gross indecency were perpetrated on him. Mr Noctor was claiming he had received no education while at the institution, suffered from low self esteem and attempted suicide on a number of occasions.

Mr Noctor, in evidence, said when he was 12 years old he was transferred to a premises in St Joseph’s institution known as Summerhill.

David Murray, who was the housemaster, had interviewed him beforehand and produced a handbook with naked people, saying he was going to explain the facts of life. During the interview Mr Murray had touched Mr Noctor’s penis.

Mr Murray had organised the sleeping arrangements. The boys were in cubicles and Mr Noctor was in the first of these. Shortly after his arrival in Summerhill the abuse began.

Mr Noctor said he was later medically discharged from the Navy when he attempted suicide. Mr Murray had pleaded guilty to a number of sample charges of sexual abuse against boys in his care and was serving a prison sentence.

The hearing continues today.