Parents at school for autistic children seek inquiry after abuse claims against principal
A 2023 file photo of John Condon. Páidí Manning made a detailed submission to Tusla outlining allegations against Mr Condon, his former teacher and housemaster at the Good Counsel College in New Ross, Co Wexford. File picture: David Creedon
Parents at a school for autistic children with complex needs have called for a full investigation after learning the principal at their children’s school was accused by a former student of emotional and physical abuse in a previous setting.
As an adult, Páidí Manning made a detailed submission to Tusla, outlining a series of allegations against John Condon, his former teacher and housemaster at the Good Counsel College in New Ross, Co Wexford, between 2001 and 2003.
In 2023, Tusla determined Mr Manning’s allegations against Mr Condon were “founded”. According to Tusla, “founded” means it established on the balance of probabilities that abuse did occur.
In a letter to Mr Manning, it noted he had given a “credible and consistent” account of having experienced incidences of childhood abuse “both physical and emotional in nature”.
Mr Manning told Tusla that his former teacher had ordered an older student to assault him with a T-square, forced him and fellow boarders to stand outside in underwear as “punishment”, and forced him to kneel head-to-floor with his backside raised.
He also told Tusla he saw Mr Condon assault two fellow students.
Mr Condon, who also worked as the head of adult education with Down Syndrome Ireland between September 2022 and January 2025, went on to be appointed the principal of Belmayne Community Special School.
The special school opened last November under the patronage of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) for children between the ages of 4 and 18 who have autism and complex needs, including moderate or severe to profound learning disabilities.
Mr Manning said it was “terribly concerning” his former teacher went on to be appointed principal of the school.
Parents at Belmayne Community Special School learned of the complaint this week after Mr Manning went public with his testimony with a report in the that identified Mr Condon.
Parents have now also raised wider issues with the school, including that children are regularly being excluded through suspensions and threatened with expulsion for behaviors associated with their children's disabilities.
Children have yet to attend a full school day, parents have told the . Many of the school's students are non-verbal.
In a statement, the Belmayne Parents Group said: “How was this individual appointed as principal?
The group added that the school has only been open for six months but “in that short time, our families have faced a systematic failure to provide a safe and appropriate educational environment”.
“Despite our children requiring one-to-one support, classes of six pupils are currently struggling with only one teacher and two SNAs.
"There is a total absence of individual behavior support plans, a high turnover of staff, and a complete breakdown in communications between school leadership parents.”
Multiple attempts were made to contact Mr Condon.
Mr Manning also reported Mr Condon to gardaí. A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed that it carried out an investigation.
“A file was submitted to the DPP, who directed no prosecution.”
A spokesman for Tusla said it does not comment on individual cases but said it uses its Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure “only for the purpose of protecting children who could be at risk of abuse today, and not to decide if a criminal offence has been committed; that is for the gardaí to investigate”.
If — following an assessment — Tusla believes abuse is likely to have happened, then it shares “the minimum amount of information with others, including the relevant authority, employer, or organisation," he added.
“Following a ‘founded’ outcome, an assessment is carried out to determine if the person against whom allegations are made currently poses a risk to children or could do so in the future.
“If the person does pose a risk to children, then the Garda National Vetting Bureau would be informed.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said it does not comment individual cases but “takes child protection very seriously and considers that the protection and welfare of children is a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children".
“Tusla decides whether an allegation of abuse is founded or unfounded and liaises with An Garda Síochána for investigation of the criminal aspects of a case.
“An Garda Síochána has overall responsibility for the direction of any criminal investigation.”
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) did not answer a series of questions put to it, including when it learned of Tusla’s finding against Mr Condon.
It said it is “aware of a matter appearing in the media relating to Belmayne Community Special School.
"We are following appropriate policies and procedures and will ensure supports are in place for the school community.”
A spokeswoman for Down Syndrome Ireland said the organisation was not aware of the accusations against Mr Condon.
“At the time of hiring, the individual was subject to garda vetting and references. No information relating to these matters was disclosed.”
- Jess Casey, Education Correspondent
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