A former rugby coach has admitted abusing schoolboys while teaching at a prestigious private school in Dublin on various dates between 1973 and 1990.

John McClean, of Casimir Avenue in Harold's Cross, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to twenty-seven charges of indecent assault.

McClean was a teacher and rugby coach at Terenure College.

He also coached Leinster Schools rugby before taking up a role as Director of Rugby at UCD.

It was during his time as an English and drama teacher at the fee-paying school in south Dublin that these allegations arose.

In November 2018, he was arrested at his home on suspicion of abusing schoolboys.

He was due to stand trial today, but instead he pleaded guilty to twenty-seven indecent assault charges against twenty-three boys.

A number of the now adult survivors were in court for today’s development. Others watched proceedings over a Zoom call.

McLean, who is now 75-years-old, was allowed to remain on bail ahead of his sentence hearing, which is due to take place over two days in March.