JAMES (SEAMUS) TREACY'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN LIMERICK AND DUBLIN REVEALED

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Limerick and Dublin, James (Seamus) Treacy, a former Christian Brother, faces sentencing after a series of heinous crimes committed against school children during the 1970s and 1980s. The proceedings took place at Limerick Circuit Court, where the court heard harrowing accounts from survivors whose lives were profoundly affected by Treacy's repeated acts of sexual abuse.

Treacy, now aged 75 and residing at Ashton Close in Swords, County Dublin, was remanded in custody as the court prepares to deliver its sentence later this month. His past convictions include a conviction for indecently assaulting eleven boys, but recent trials uncovered even more disturbing details. In May and June of this year, Treacy was found guilty on 17 counts of indecent assault against four young boys, despite his persistent denial of the charges.

The court was informed of a particularly disturbing incident where Treacy caught two boys smoking in a school toilet. One was sent back to the classroom, while Treacy pinned the other against a wall, forcibly shoved a bar of soap into his mouth, and subjected him to a sexual assault. The same victim was also burned on the testicles with a cigarette. During other assaults, Treacy would wander through classrooms, fondling boys at random while using his cossack to conceal his actions. It was also revealed that he would lick the boys' ears and whisper inappropriate, twisted remarks if they failed to wash properly.

State prosecutor John O’Sullivan detailed that Treacy assaulted his victims a total of 47 times during his tenure teaching fourth class from 1978 to 1981. The court heard emotional victim impact statements last week, with survivors confronting Treacy about the devastating effects of his crimes. One victim recounted how Treacy's abuse led to the loss of his childhood innocence and fractured his family relationships. He described how Treacy manipulated him into believing that the abuse was his fault, telling him that it was divine punishment for smoking. The victim vividly recalled seeing an ambulance outside his home after his mother fell ill, fearing that her death was a consequence of his secret.

Another survivor shared that the trauma left him estranged from friends and unable to trust anyone. He revealed that he continued to suffer from nightmares, bedwetting into his early twenties, and even contemplated suicide over the years. For many victims, speaking out during Garda investigations was a pivotal moment, providing a sense of relief and beginning their ongoing journey of recovery. One man shared that he was finally able to confide in his wife, marking a significant step in his healing process, which remains ongoing.

Some victims described turning to alcohol to cope with their pain, beginning their destructive habits at a young age. Judge Tom O’Donnell, who presided over the case, acknowledged the emotional weight of the victim impact statements, describing them as profoundly moving. He ordered Treacy to remain in custody until his sentencing, scheduled for July 28, emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes and their lasting impact on the victims.