A past student of Terenure College in Dublin has described his former English teacher, John McClean, as “vile” and “evil personified.”

The 75-year-old, of Casimir Avenue, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 8, abused him and 22 other boys during his time at the fee-paying school.

McClean taught English at Terenure College between 1966 and 1996. He also coached rugby and fitted costumes for the school plays.

The abuse began in 1973 when he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy at the top of his class while reading out an essay.

He abused twenty-two others in the seventeen years that followed.

Many of them were promising young athletes, whom he groped while supposedly treating them for injuries.

In 1979, a complaint was made to the then principal after a boy claimed he was sexually assaulted while being fitted for a costume by McClean.

Aside from removing him as the costume fitter, the court heard no further action was taken.

Through their victim impact statements, the survivors spoke about the fear, embarrassment and shame they felt after being abused.

One of them described his former teacher as “evil personified.” He said he “crossed paths with the devil” at Terenure College.

The court will hear from more survivors of McClean’s abuse when his sentence hearing resumes tomorrow.

Reporting form Frank Greaney