Teacher jailed for indecently assaulting pupil, 13, in 1985, appeals conviction

Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, 63, of The Mullins, Donegal Town, had denied having sexual relations with the boy. Picture: Collins Courts

A former secondary school teacher found guilty of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old pupil almost 40 years ago has lodged an appeal against her conviction.

Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, with an address at the Mullins, Donegal Town, Co Donegal, was found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting the student in 1985 following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last October.

The incidents were alleged to have occurred on dates between June 1 and September 1, 1985, while McSherry O’Connor was giving him grinds. She was aged 24 at the time and the boy was 13. She was working as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school at the time.

The 63-year-old was sentenced to two and a half years in prison last month. Five days later, she lodged an appeal against her conviction.

During her trial, she took the stand and denied ever having sexual relations of any kind with the boy.

The complainant, who is now in his 50s, gave a victim impact statement in which he said McSherry O'Connor “has been like a spectre hanging over me my whole life”.

In sentencing her on January 11, Judge Elma Sheahan highlighted a number of aspects, including the seriousness of the offence, the age disparity between McSherry O’Connor and the complainant, the breach of trust and the effect the abuse had on the complainant. 

She noted, however, that mitigating factors included her previous good character, her cooperation in the case, and the continued support of her husband.

A booklet containing almost 40 references for McSherry O'Connor was handed in.

The court also heard during the hearing that the former teacher had cared for her mother for a number of years, and the sentence imposed would impact on the older woman.

The court heard McSherry O’Connor was a victim of sexual assault herself as a junior teacher.

She was sentenced to three years imprisonment on each of the two counts to run concurrently. The final six months were suspended. 

She was placed under the supervision of the Probation Services for six months post-release and was placed on the sex offenders register.