Clare Teacher abuse trial opens

A County Clare teacher has gone on trial for the alleged sexual assault of three boys at a primary school and in his home.

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The 38 year old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded NOT guilty to 18 counts of sexually assaulting the three boys on dates between September 2002 and June 2004

The boys were aged between 10 and 12 at the time.

In opening the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, prosecuting counsel, Mary Rose Gearty told the jury that the accused man had a reputation in the area as "a well respected and good teacher."

The court heard that the three young men, who are now in their teens, would give evidence that the accused put his hand on their "bottoms" and on some occasions put his hand down the back of their trousers.

The incidents allegedly took place at a primary school, in the school grounds, on school trips in the case of one of the boys and at the accused man’s home in the case of the other two boys.

The trial continues.