Accused: Sex abuse never happened

The former Christian Brother on trial on charges of indecently assaulting a primary school boy in the 1970s testified yesterday that he might have put his arm around a boy by way of encouragement but he denied anything of a sexual nature.

Louis Morgan, aged 66, of Glenmarian Rd, Portlaoise, Co Laois, denies four counts of indecent assault.

When the allegations were put to him by Donal O’Sullivan, defending, Mr Morgan said: “Totally false, untrue, that never happened.”

The complainant has alleged the defendant would sit down on the edge of the bench, put his hand around his back and then put his hand down his pants inside his underpants and touch his hips and buttocks. He said that in third class this went further and the brother would touch his penis.

Another witness, who did not make a formal complaint against Mr Morgan, testified yesterday that he was indecently assaulted in a manner similar to the complainant.

The accused said: “It absolutely did not happen. I am very disappointed with [Christian name of witness] because I knew his family.”

Mr O’Sullivan asked: “What about him [complainant] sitting on your lap at your desk?” He said: “I never had a boy sitting on my lap.”

Ray Boland, prosecuting, cross-examined the accused who said the sexual assaults never happened and added, “It is plaguing me for four and a half years [since complaint made to gardaí] and devastated my family.

“I would put my arm around a boy by way of encouragement.”

Mr Boland said: “You might have put your around a boy, might you have put your hand down his pants?” He replied: “Never ever.”

“Why would he make it up?” the prosecution barrister asked. The defendant replied: “He might have had something that I was a bit hard on him in class. With the pressure of implementing a new curriculum I think I might have been a bit cross with some of the boys.”

“You are talking about a physical punishment?” Mr Boland asked. He replied: “Yes, a slap.”

“Isn’t it a coincidence that two boys from that time are complaining of effectively the same thing,” Mr Boland asked.

He replied: “I would not say coincidence, there is something very strange about it.”

Mr Boland asked, “You say they are in collusion?” He replied: “I wouldn’t use that word. It is possible. They knew each other.”

Mr Boland said, “The reason they are making the allegations is that these things happened.” He replied: “Never, ever happened.”

It is anticipated that Judge David Riordan will complete his charge to the jury of eight men and four women today and that they will commence their deliberations the on four charges against the accused.