A Déise Today special by Damien Tiernan, which aired this morning (Thursday), has detailed the allegations and investigations into Tom Meehan.
His victims now say the government needs to compel schools and religious orders to disclose all files as part of their forthcoming inquiry.
The teacher in question, Tom Meehan, taught geography and was the career guidance teacher in Waterpark college in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
He died in 2019 and was the subject of a number of Garda investigations but was never prosecuted.
At least two out-of-court payments – one for €60,000 – have been made to victims of Meehan.
One of those victims, Lee Deady from Waterford city, took a civil case for the abuse he suffered there.
He had to wait 8 years for the Child Protection Agency TUSLA to get back to him after he first reported the matter to him as there was no worker available to deal with his case.
Another victim says Gardai told him he was a liar when he brought allegations to them.
Another man, Keith Whitty who now lives in London, says he was abused when he was only 14 by Meehan.
So far 14 men have been identified who were victims (to varying degrees) of sexual abuse or indecent assault by Meehan.
Some believe Gardai knew about Meehan before 2009 and say any State inquiry must include an investigation of what Gardai and education authorities did or didn’t know.
Waterpark College, formerly run by the Christian Brothers, is operated under the auspices of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, who say they condemn any form of child abuse and is committed to the best standards of child protection.
You can listen back to 'Tom Meehan - A Deise Today special' by clicking on the image above.
And if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this programme, you can contact Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre on freephone 1800 296 296.
