GERARD CLEERE FROM KILKENNY AND LEICESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN GALWAY

In a case that has spanned decades and crossed international borders, Gerard Cleere, a man originally from Kilkenny and later residing in Leicester, has been convicted of heinous crimes committed against a young boy in Galway city over 35 years ago. The proceedings revealed a disturbing history of abuse, manipulation, and criminal behavior that has left a lasting impact on the victims and the community.

Gerard Cleere, now 55 years old, was living in Foildarrig, Cappawhite, County Tipperary at the time of his sentencing in July 2010. Prior to this, he had been based in County Limerick, where he promoted his dog training business, Positive Paws, under the alias Gerard Shepherd. His criminal history includes a previous conviction for sexual assault in England, which added to the gravity of his latest conviction.

The case against Cleere was brought to a head after he was extradited from Leicester, where he had been residing in a halfway house for sex offenders. The extradition process was initiated after Garda Insp Michael Coppinger executed a warrant in Leicester on November 6th, 2009, following Cleere’s unsuccessful appeal to avoid extradition. The trial took place at Galway Circuit Criminal Court in April, where Cleere faced charges of buggery and indecent assault.

During the trial, evidence was presented that detailed Cleere’s early involvement in Galway as a probationary priest at the Redemptorist monastery in Cluain Mhuire, Mervue. It was during this period, between 1972 and 1973, that he befriended a young boy, who was just 10 years old at the time. Cleere had initially gained the boy’s trust by watching him play handball with friends at a monastery-owned alley and by establishing a relationship with the boy’s parents through visits to their home.

According to court testimony, Cleere left the monastery after a year but continued to correspond with the boy’s family. His visits became more intrusive, culminating in a shocking incident when he unexpectedly called to the boy’s home a year later and sexually assaulted him while he was alone. The court heard that Cleere’s actions included taking photographs of the boy in various states of undress, rubbing him with baby oil, and encouraging him to lick cream off his fingers. He also attempted digital penetration and threatened the boy with imprisonment if he disclosed the abuse.

Further investigations revealed that Cleere had a troubling history of sexual offenses. While working as a care assistant at John of God psychiatric hospital in Dublin, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in England. On August 2nd, 2004, he received a two-year sentence, with 18 months of post-release supervision, and was placed on the sex offenders register, with strict orders never to work with children again. The abuse in England involved taking photographs of the boy, manipulating him sexually, and coercing him into silence with threats.

In court, Senior Constable John Norton from Leicester’s Public Protection Management Team described Cleere as “highly manipulative” of parents, guardians, and children, raising concerns about his potential to reoffend. However, reports from a forensic psychiatrist and a counselor presented a more nuanced view, suggesting that Cleere posed a “reduced risk of reoffending.” The counselor’s assessment indicated that Cleere was homosexual and had been in denial about his sexual orientation, even entering into a brief marriage in the 1990s.

Judge Raymond Groarke, presiding over the case, sentenced Cleere to five years in prison for the charge of buggery, with the final 2½ years suspended on the condition that he keep the peace for three years and undertake never to work with or near children again. Additionally, he received a concurrent four-year sentence for indecent assault. It was also revealed that Cleere’s last known address was in Babelake Street, Packington, and that he had been suspended from his position as deputy head of a junior school in Leicestershire in 2001 following accusations from a pupil.

Following the sentencing, the victim, who was present with his family, expressed relief, stating, “He got what he deserves,” indicating a sense of closure after years of trauma. Cleere was also placed on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The case has left a deep scar on the community and highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predatory individuals.