LEO HICKEY EX-TEACHER FROM CO CORK CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY
| Red Rose Database
Co Cork Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Co Cork, Leo Hickey, a 77-year-old retired teacher, has been found guilty of sexually abusing a nine-year-old boy who was once his pupil. The conviction was handed down by the Cork Circuit Criminal Court after a jury of seven women and five men deliberated for just over an hour, ultimately reaching a unanimous verdict.
The charges against Hickey stem from incidents that took place during 1991 and 1992, when the victim was between nine and ten years old. All allegations relate to the same primary school, Scoil Eoin Boys National School in Ballincollig, Co Cork, where Hickey was employed as a teacher at the time.
The young man, now an adult, chose to waive his right to anonymity, stating his desire to confront the trauma and put the painful chapter behind him. His emotional reaction was evident when the court announced the guilty verdicts, with tears streaming down his face as the jury’s decision was read.
Judge Sean O’Donnabhain ordered Hickey to be remanded in custody until sentencing, which is scheduled for May 9. Hickey, who resides at Realt na Mara, Skevanish, Innishannon, Co Cork, had pleaded not guilty to all eight counts of sexual assault during the trial.
The allegations detailed a disturbing pattern of abuse. The victim testified that Hickey had fondled his private parts and, on one occasion, inserted a tin whistle into his trousers, later asking him to play ‘Amazing Grace’ on it. When the boy refused, he was punished with lines. The victim also recounted an incident on a football pitch where Hickey attempted to grab his genitals, causing him to run back to the classroom in discomfort.
The young man described the experience as “a living hell,” adding that the abuse had a profound impact on his life. “I believe that what happened to me as a boy made me go down a dark path. My life stopped then,” he said. He also revealed that Hickey would often tell him he was “a good boy” and “special” during the abuse, which he now recognizes as grooming behavior. The victim further explained that he was bullied by other students, who perceived him as “the teacher’s pet.”
Hickey, however, denied the allegations, claiming he did not remember the complainant and insisted that the sexual assaults never took place. The court proceedings will continue with the sentencing scheduled for May, allowing for the preparation of a victim impact statement to be considered by the judge.
The charges against Hickey stem from incidents that took place during 1991 and 1992, when the victim was between nine and ten years old. All allegations relate to the same primary school, Scoil Eoin Boys National School in Ballincollig, Co Cork, where Hickey was employed as a teacher at the time.
The young man, now an adult, chose to waive his right to anonymity, stating his desire to confront the trauma and put the painful chapter behind him. His emotional reaction was evident when the court announced the guilty verdicts, with tears streaming down his face as the jury’s decision was read.
Judge Sean O’Donnabhain ordered Hickey to be remanded in custody until sentencing, which is scheduled for May 9. Hickey, who resides at Realt na Mara, Skevanish, Innishannon, Co Cork, had pleaded not guilty to all eight counts of sexual assault during the trial.
The allegations detailed a disturbing pattern of abuse. The victim testified that Hickey had fondled his private parts and, on one occasion, inserted a tin whistle into his trousers, later asking him to play ‘Amazing Grace’ on it. When the boy refused, he was punished with lines. The victim also recounted an incident on a football pitch where Hickey attempted to grab his genitals, causing him to run back to the classroom in discomfort.
The young man described the experience as “a living hell,” adding that the abuse had a profound impact on his life. “I believe that what happened to me as a boy made me go down a dark path. My life stopped then,” he said. He also revealed that Hickey would often tell him he was “a good boy” and “special” during the abuse, which he now recognizes as grooming behavior. The victim further explained that he was bullied by other students, who perceived him as “the teacher’s pet.”
Hickey, however, denied the allegations, claiming he did not remember the complainant and insisted that the sexual assaults never took place. The court proceedings will continue with the sentencing scheduled for May, allowing for the preparation of a victim impact statement to be considered by the judge.