WILLIAM MAHER SHOCKS BELFAST WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AT LEADHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

The families of students at Leadhill Primary School in East Belfast are grappling with a profound sense of betrayal and disappointment following revelations about William Maher, a former teacher at the school who has now been linked to serious child sex offences. Concerns about Maher's conduct had been raised as early as 2019, yet questions remain about the adequacy of the response from the Education Authority (EA) and the school itself.

William Maher, who previously served as an educator at Leadhill Primary School, has admitted to engaging in criminal sexual activities involving four children over the past year. His guilty pleas span two separate court cases, with the most recent hearing taking place at Laganside Court in Belfast on Tuesday, March 18. During this hearing, Maher pleaded guilty to six charges, which included sexual communication with a child under 13 and inciting a child under 13 to perform a sexual act. The court proceedings revealed the gravity of his actions, which have now led to a conviction and a probation order.

In May 2024, Maher was sentenced to a three-year probation period after admitting to sexual communication with two children. Despite the early warnings and concerns raised about his behaviour, Maher continued to be employed at Leadhill Primary School for some time afterward. Parents of children who were taught by Maher have voiced their frustration and concern, recounting their efforts to seek answers and safeguard their children. They reported attempting to engage with both the Education Authority and the school administration regarding safeguarding measures and their worries about Maher’s conduct.

These parents have expressed their dismay that, during Maher’s tenure at the school, some child protection concerns were raised but seemingly not acted upon or communicated transparently to them. They criticized the school’s management and the EA for their perceived failure to take decisive action once Maher’s offences came to light. Some parents have also pointed out that the school’s board of governors did not hold formal discussions about the allegations, raising questions about the transparency and effectiveness of safeguarding protocols.

Photographs from the court proceedings show Maher leaving Belfast’s Laganside Courts wearing a yellow mask, underscoring the seriousness of the case and the community’s concern. In response to the incident, an EA spokesperson stated that the authority collaborates with partners to ensure the safety and protection of children, emphasizing that safeguarding remains their top priority. However, the spokesperson declined to comment further on the specifics of the case or the measures taken.

Community members and parents remain highly critical of both the school and the Education Authority, accusing them of prioritizing reputation over child safety. They argue that there has been a failure to act decisively and transparently, which has allowed Maher’s offences to go unchecked for too long. Calls are now being made for a comprehensive review of safeguarding policies and procedures, with the aim of preventing similar failures in the future and ensuring that children’s safety is always the foremost concern.