Retired teacher to be tried on sex charges

A 76-YEAR-OLD retired schoolteacher from Innishannon has been returned for trial by judge and jury after he was charged with sexually assaulting a boy (9) in a school in over 20 years ago.

Leo Hickey was charged with eight counts of sexual assault on the young boy while teaching at Scoil Eoin Boys National School in Ballincollig on dates between November 1991 and June 1992.

At Cork District Court, Insp Gary McPolin confirmed that a book of evidence in the case had been served on Hickey by investigating officer, Det Garda Donal O’Connell.

Insp McPolin applied to have Hickey returned for trial to the October sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Olann Kelleher granted the application and remanded Hickey, with an address at Realt na Mara, Skevanish, Innishannon, on continuing bail to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on October 24th.

Last month Det Garda Donal O’Connell gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Hickey replied ‘Not guilty’ when each of the charges were put to him after caution.

Judge Kelleher had earlier granted Hickey free legal aid after defence solicitor Joe Cuddigan indicated that his client did not have the financial means to pay for his own legal defence.

Mr Cuddigan said that Hickey was supporting his wife as she did not have a pension while he also had to meet a standing order for €100 a month on foot of a court order from Bandon.