PETER WHITE FROM CO KILDARE AND SLIGO SENTENCED FOR ABUSE AT ST JOHN'S SCHOOL

In June 2005, a disturbing case of historical abuse came to light involving Peter White, a former Marist brother with connections to both Co Kildare and Sligo. White was ultimately sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of sexual abuse against two young boys during the 1970s at St John’s National School in Sligo.

White, who was known as Brother Agnellis, was a member of the religious order and had been entrusted with the care of children at the school. The charges he admitted to included eight specific instances of abuse against the two boys, who at the time were between nine and eleven years old. The court proceedings revealed the extent of White's misconduct and the manipulative tactics he employed to carry out his heinous acts.

During the hearing at Sligo Circuit Court, Judge Miriam Reynolds described the abuse inflicted by White as 'unfathomable.' She detailed how White would follow the boys into the school toilets, where he committed acts of sexual assault. The judge emphasized that the abuse was not isolated but part of a pattern of serial misconduct, with White exploiting his position of authority to terrorize and harm the children entrusted to his care.

White, now aged 74, also confessed to physically abusing the boys in other ways, including hanging them by their anoraks on hooks attached to the back of classroom doors. He acknowledged that he was overly physical and described himself at the time as a 'hard man,' indicating a troubling attitude towards discipline and authority.

This case marked the third instance involving teachers from St John’s School to be sentenced for indecent assault on pupils, highlighting a pattern of abuse within the institution during that era. The trial revealed that White used his cunning and authoritative position to instill fear in the children, turning what should have been a safe environment into one of terror and suffering. The court's findings underscore the profound betrayal of trust and the lasting impact of these crimes on the victims.