Damien Hetherington. Photo: Collins Courts
The abuse was outlined in evidence and in 23 victim impact statements read in court over two days in harrowing, unrelenting detail.
How he touched them through their clothes, under the guise of punishing them, or of fitting them for costumes for school plays, bringing them to tears with threats, then touching them under the pretence of comforting them.
His litany of shame included the 12-year-old he clamped between his legs, pressing him up against his erect penis, while reading an essay out to class.
The 13-year-old in second year at school, who was so traumatised by the abuse he left school in fifth year but was in his 40s when he finally sought counselling.
John McClean sat in the interview room at Terenure Garda Station in Dublin, his solicitor by his side, rationalising why the things he was being accused of could never have happened. Implausible, he would suggest, or improbable.