Yesterday, the former teacher and rugby coach admitted abusing 22 students of the private school in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

This sentence will only begin after he finishes an existing eight-year sentence, which was handed down two years ago for the sexual abuse of 23 other boys.

Many of the complainants came forward after hearing Damien Hetherington’s plea in 2021, and he was in court today to support his fellow survivors.

“I feel very humbled that so many of the victims came up to me inside there is court and shook my hand and thanked me because they said if it wasn’t for the interview I di with you last time and pleaded with them to come forward … it made a lot of them come forward,” he said.

“Again, even the judge as I said the last time. Why was this allowed to go on for 30 years.”

In the wake of today's sentencing, the Carmelite Order, which runs Terenure College, has apologised for what it described as the “grave failure” in not stopping McClean.

In a statement, it said it is committed to supporting all those abused and, as far as possible, has offered swift financial compensation to minimise further stress.

The statement goes on to say it fully co-operates with An Garda Síochána in all criminal investigations and encourages anyone who has not already come forward to do so.