Man sues over alleged sexual assaults by Christian Brother teachers and scout leader
A 56-year-old man who claims he was sexually assaulted by two Christian Brothers teachers and a Scouting Ireland scout leader when he was a schoolboy has brought a High Court action for damages.
The man who is from the south of the country cannot be identified by order of the court.
The action has been taken against the Christian Brothers in Ireland, two named Christian brothers, Scouting Ireland and a named former scout leader for alleged sexual assault in the 1970s.
The claim includes claims for past and future loss of earnings and loss of opportunity ranging from between €1 million to €1.4 million over the alleged abuse.
The man who has a degree has not worked in a full-time capacity for 29 years, the court heard.
One of his claims relates to when he was a 12-year-old scout when he alleges the first incident of alleged sexual assault took place in a tent at the Scouting Ireland national scout centre at Larch Hill, Tibradden, Dublin.
Opening the case the man's counsel, Sasha Louise Gayer SC said he will say the first occasion of alleged abuse by the scout leader was when he was on a trip to the Larch Hill venue when it is alleged his trousers were taken down and he was allegedly fondled in a sexual fashion.
It is also alleged the scout leader came in to his tent at night and touched the boy’s genitals.
Counsel said the man will say the scout leader had told him he could be a patrol leader and called to his home and became friendly with his parents.
Counsel said the man would say the scout leader was grooming him.
At the outset, Mr Justice David Keane was told the case against the State defendants was being discontinued.
Against the Christian Brothers in Ireland and two named Christian brothers, it is claimed there was an alleged failure to take any proper precautions for the child’s safety and there was an alleged failure to take any or proper steps to protect him from the potential of sexual assault, battery, or trespass to his person.
There was it was claimed an alleged failure to warn the boy of the dangerous nature of schools he was attending.
The claims are denied by the Christian Brothers in Ireland claims the case is statute barred.
One of the Christian brothers had admitted the abuse. Neither of the Christian brothers has attended court for the case.
Against Scouting Ireland and the former scout leader who is now in his 70s it is claimed there was an alleged failure to properly supervise scout leaders or those in charge of young boy scouts.
It is further claimed there was an alleged failure to have any or any proper protocols in place so as to properly protect children in their care from the potential of sexual assault, battery or trespass on the person.
Both deny the claims and say the action is statute barred.
Ms Gayer said one of the Christian brothers was later prosecuted in relation to an assault on the boy when he was in fifth class at national school.
At the time the Christian Brothers said when the man made a complaint in 1998, the Christian brother was removed from teaching and sent for counselling.
Referring to the scout leader, counsel said when a complaint was made the charter was revoked.
The case before Mr Justice David Keane continues tomorrow.
