Irish dancing judge faces sex assault civil case

A MAN is taking a civil case against an Irish dancing judge who he claims sexually assaulted him when he was a schoolboy in the early 1990s, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned.

The adjudicator, who still has access to children, worked as a teacher in a school when the man claims he was assaulted and was also running his own Irish dancing school.

He continues to work as a dance adjudicator across the country.

The MoS has also learned Tusla has been informed on ‘numerous occasions’ in recent months about the forthcoming civil case and the allegations involving the man.

The alleged victim made a criminal complaint against the man in 2005.

He told gardaí the then-teacher invited him into a room when he was just 12-years-old and sexually assaulted him.

The man was later questioned by gardaí, and it is understood he denied the allegations. Gardaí also spoke to other teachers who worked at the school at the time of the alleged assault.

A file was sent to the DPP, who decided not to charge him.

The alleged victim has now decided to initiate a civil case because of his concern the man has been around children as a teacher and adjudicator in the years that followed.

He told the MoS: ‘He was touching kids but clever to do it away from others.

‘He asked me to stay after class and come into his room where he assaulted me. The teachers that the gardaí spoke to agreed there was something about him.

‘He was questioned and denied everything and ultimately it was my word against his.

‘At the time of the investigation the gardaí didn’t have a dedicated unit like they do today. It was just a garda who took on my case, not even a detective.’ He said he is aware of other victims but no one else has come forward.

He has now decided to take a civil case, where the burden of proof is less, against the former teacher and dance adjudicator and has been requesting the statements he gave to gardaí since June.

The victim said he is ‘angry’ his abuser has continued to have access to children for almost 20 years since he initially lodged a criminal complaint with gardaí.

He added: ‘He has been around children in the dancing world ever since. He’s still active and I can’t let this go.

A Tusla spokesman said they can’t comment on individual cases.