The DPP has withdrawn serious sex abuse charges against a former Christian Brother after the accused man successfully challenged the allegations at a Redress Board hearing on May 15th last.
In a similar case last year another man making similar allegations against the same former Christian Brother received compensation from the Redress Board.
But in that instance the former Christian Brother, who denies those allegations also, was not informed the case would be heard before the board. He became aware afterwards.
The acccused man still faces about 20 other similar allegations, all of which he denies.
"John" claims the allegations have taken nine years out of his life. From day one he has denied all allegations and cites contradictions one of which is that he has been accused of abusing a boy in 1964 at a residential institution when he (John) was not there until 1967.
He has appeared in court more than 50 times, without a full hearing. He said he did get one opportunity to confront some of the allegations at the Redress Board last May.
He had been informed that a man making allegations against him was due to appear before the board. He applied for and was granted permission to attend with the intention of cross-examining his accuser. He could not afford a lawyer, and was refused legal aid and so decided to conduct the cross-examination himself.
Counsel for the Redress Board expressed concern that John was not legally represented and suggested he contact the solicitor who represented him at the court appearances. John refused.
Counsel for the board then put it to him that as he (John) had criminal charges against him involving others that he was in danger of compromising his position regarding those charges by going before the board.
Counsel for the board said John's accuser had at least 11 witnesses prepared to give evidence in his accuser's favour and who would also have a right to cross-examine John.
John noted that his accuser, in a statement to gardaí, had said there were no witnesses. He told counsel for the board that he was still prepared to go ahead.
Some time later he returned to say that all allegations against John had been withdrawn.
John asked if he could have that in writing so he could present it to gardaí who had been dealing with the other allegations against him.This was refused as the board does not divulge outcomes.
Nor does it discuss individual cases. He contacted the relavant Garda station to tell them the outcome.
The DPP subsequently dropped charges in that case.