School dentist accused of sex abuse

A HEALTH board in the southern half of the country consistently refused to launch a full inquiry into sexual abuse by a school dentist, despite numerous complaints against him.

The dentist was working in special needs services, as well as on the school dental programme during the 1960s and 1970s.

According to information obtained by the Irish Examiner, victims had sought a full “look back” investigation to determine if other former patients had been assaulted by him. They considered such a move urgent as initial inquiries by the health board revealed the dentist had sole care of up to 600 children.