A Donegal school continued to employ a man convicted of sexually assaulting a pupil even after a member of An Garda Síochána expressed concern about the matter, the Department of Justice has said.
Michael Ferry (55) retained his job at Ard Scoil Mhuire, a language school in Derrybeg, despite the local health board and then-owner of the school being informed of his offence in accordance with State child safety guidelines.
He went on to rape and sexually assault four other boys who attended the school for which he was given an 18-year prison sentence at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
Ferry, of Bunbeg, Gweedore, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to 38 sample charges, which included 17 oral and anal rapes, 18 sex assaults, one indecent assault and two charges of production of child pornography on dates between July 1st, 1990 and September 31st, 2005.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter today said he was "appalled" by the "unacceptable" series of events and ordered the Garda Commissioner to look into how Ferry continued to work at the school after pleading guilty to the sexual assault in 2002.
The Department of Justice this afternoon said Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan had reported to the Minister that the force's records showed the then Health Board was informed by gardaí, in accordance with the Children First guidelines, of Ferry's conviction and of where he was believed to be working.
The Garda report also said that the person who then owned the school was in court for when proceedings were brought against Ferry and that a member of the force subsequently told the owner of the conviction and his concerns about Ferry continuing to work at the school.
Mr Shatter said the development made it "all the more necessary for those who chose to continue the employment of this person to explain themselves".
Handing down the sentence to Ferry yesterday, Mr Justice Paul Carney said it "must have been known to the local gardaí and presumably the school authorities" that Ferry had a conviction for a similar offence.
He ordered Ferry be registered as a sex offender and that he never have contact with his victims again.
Mr Shatter said the case "starkly illustrates" the importance of ensuring people who work with children are properly vetted.
"It also starkly illustrates the absolute necessity of persons in management positions in the education sector complying with the children care guidelines," he said.
