The sexual abuser who was born with Thalidomide defects.

political analyst

https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2024/0531/1452317-gerard-o-brien/

The perpetrator, who had, after quitting teaching, become a solicitor and then a judge, used his disability to take advantage of pupils.

I'm used to hearing of cases in which the perpetrators of the sexual abuse of young people were teachers or other persons in authority but I find it difficult to comprehend that someone born with Thalidomide defects would have the premeditation to commit such crimes because, given the physical and psychological difficulties that are caused by those defects, one would've assumed that sex would be the last thing on the mind of someone who was born with those defects.

Jim_Hodge

What you're basically demonstrating is that you haven't even a basic understanding of thalidomide.

Edit…the more I think of you, you have been quite insulting towards disabled people.

Victor

Maybe you need to take a break from the internet, it would make it a smarter place.

Witcher

Another quality thread from the OP.

Jequ0n

Why would someone with a disability be less inclined to fulfil their sexual urges? Did you think that he’d spend his day pondering what his life would be like with arms and an extra leg?

Strange article btw. I wonder why the victims are referred to as “boys” when their ages ranged between 17 and 24.

elperello

A sad case.

It was tried, it's over.

political analyst

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122208529#Comment_122208529

Are you saying that being born with Thalidomide defects has no psychological effect on the person born with those defects?

spurious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210197#Comment_122210197

And what, they decided becase they had a disability they would sexually assault young people? How insulting to people with disabilities.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210197#Comment_122210197

Of course it would have massive psychological effects on someone but that does not absolve them from becoming a sexual predator.

Apples and oranges.

tohaltuwi

People with disabilities are as ordinarily sexual as anybody unless there is a specific associated issue involving that department. Abusing people to get your sexual kicks is not being ordinarily sexual and disability is no excuse for it.

Having no upper limbs no doubt does add challenges to the practicalities of gaining sexual pleasure, but to use people unable to consent is not on.

I imagine, as a child he may have been subject to abuse himself, but neither does that either absolve him from the wrongdoing aspect of doing it unto others.

political analyst

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210204#Comment_122210204

That's not what I meant. My point is the assumption that someone born with those defects would be less inclined to even think of committing sexual abuse.

political analyst

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210252#Comment_122210252

I never suggested that it was an excuse.

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210274#Comment_122210274

I wasn’t particularly suggesting you did, I was just emphasising in general that it is never an excuse.

highpitcheric

Interesting title OP.

JP Liz V1

The ba$tard deserves life in prison no matter his condition

Brussels Sprout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122208537#Comment_122208537

Not for the victims it isn't, unfortunately.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210428#Comment_122210428

I was referring to the legal side of it.

No disrespect intended to anyone affected.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210269#Comment_122210269

…what the fcuking hell!

…people who commit such crimes generally have significant psychological issues and disabilities, fact!

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210269#Comment_122210269

And why would you assume that?

Duke of Schomberg

I read about this case, in the Irish Post rag. As a retired Teacher and Sixth-Form College Lecturer I just don't understand how, with no arms, you could be an effective teacher. Also what sort of student is persuaded to think that it is acceptable to help his teacher go to the toilet? - my response would have been two short words - or even go home, and to bed, with his teacher . . . come on, the victims need to accept that their own weak-mindedness played some part in all of this. But the article also suggested that the school could have done more to support him by asking his colleagues to help with his toileting problems - eh!? my response would have been two short words followed by the advice to have a colostomy bag and a catheter fitted so that he could have it sorted out when he got home. Really quite bizarre.

Jequ0n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210402#Comment_122210402

nonsense.

Jequ0n

I couldn’t agree more with you. It’s a very strange story.

Boggles

Strangest Thread Title I've seen.

The Opening Post is weirder.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210204#Comment_122210204

His defence actually said he wanted a relationship but was always rebuffed, that he was lonely etc. The judge didn't buy it though.

It's an awful case, I'm still shocked that pupils were expected to bring him to the toilet in school and to spend the night in his house to meet his care needs. Imagine going home with a teacher to help them on and off the toilet, wipe their arse, undress them, sleep in the bed beside them and dress them in the morning along with helping them eat and drink - what the actual fcuk?

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210824#Comment_122210824

You're victim blaming. The victims were teenagers and this was back in the 90s when sexual abuse knowledge and education were nowhere near where they are now. Hindsight is a wonderful tool!

eightieschewbaccy

Sweet Jesus at the direction this thread is going. The perpetrator was found guilty by a jury and they would have gotten far more info than anyone choosing to victim blame.

Jequ0n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122211651#Comment_122211651

Don’t you think it’s worth asking how and why the perpetrator was able to carry out his actions in the first place? Surely this is critical to establish to avoid it happening again.

Citizen Six

I know it was the 90s, but I think the bigger issue here is how other teachers knew what was going on, and that he had inappropriate relationships with pupils, but did nothing about it.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122211564#Comment_122211564

The 90s wasn't that long ago.

Management should have known better by then.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122211841#Comment_122211841

It was 30 years ago when teachers/clerics were still on a pedestal and trusted unconditionally.

political analyst

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122210641#Comment_122210641

They generally don't have physical disabilities as serious as Thalidomide defects.