John Condon, current Principal of Belmayne Community Special School, was also Principal of St Peter's Special School in Dublin and formerly Head of Adult Education with Down Syndrome Ireland.
Last Updated on 15 July 2026 by Watchdog Witness
Introduction: A Trust Betrayed
In November 2025, Belmayne Community Special School opened its doors in north Dublin. It was designed for children aged 4 to 18 with autism and complex needs, including moderate or severe learning disabilities . The school’s mission statement, written by its principal John Condon, declared: “We believe every child carries their own unique light, and it is our privilege to help that light shine brightly” .
But behind that carefully crafted message of care and inclusion lies a disturbing reality. The principal of this school for the most vulnerable children in the state had been formally accused of abuse, with a State agency concluding his actions were “founded” — meaning that, on the balance of probabilities, child abuse did occur .
This is the story of how a man with a founded abuse finding became the leader of a school for children with autism and complex needs — and a system that failed to protect them.
The Allegations: A “Credible and Consistent” Account of Abuse
Páidí Manning was a boarding student at Good Counsel College in New Ross, Co Wexford, between 2001 and 2003. John Condon was his teacher and housemaster .
Manning, now in his 30s, has described his time under Condon’s supervision as “two years of harassment, assaults, intimidation and walking on eggshells” . He made a detailed submission to Tusla, the State child and family agency, outlining a series of allegations .
The Catalogue of Abuse
Manning’s allegations against Condon are harrowing :
- Forced to stand outside in underwear: Condon regularly forced Manning and other boarding students to stand outside in the cold wearing only their underwear, socks, and vests as “punishment” for talking after lights out at 10pm .
- Ordered another student to assault him: Condon instructed an older student to assault Manning with a T-square. Manning told Tusla the blow was struck with such force it “nearly broke” him .
- Forced to kneel as punishment: Condon regularly ordered Manning and other students to kneel head-to-floor with their backsides raised .
- Witnessed assaults on others: Manning told Tusla he saw Condon assault two fellow students .
- Threats of violence: On one occasion, Condon gestured as if to slap Manning across the face. When Manning flinched, Condon commented that “people only flinch who are hit at home” — a statement Manning felt was a threat to his family .
- Deliberate cruelty: Condon arranged for Manning to share a room with an older student who had previously bullied him relentlessly, despite Manning having made a formal complaint about the bullying .
Manning, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 20 and has ADHD and Dyspraxia, told Tusla he was “an incredibly vulnerable child” and that his vulnerability was “used against me in order to silence and belittle me” .
The Tusla Finding: “Founded”
In 2023, Tusla concluded its investigation into Manning’s allegations. The finding: the allegations against John Condon were “founded” .
According to Tusla’s definition, a “founded” finding means it established “on the balance of probabilities, that child abuse did occur” .
In a letter to Manning, Tusla noted he had given a “credible and consistent” account of having experienced incidences of childhood abuse “both physical and emotional in nature” .
Manning’s allegations were supported by the late Fr John Hennebry, his former principal at Good Counsel College .
The System’s Failure: A Man With a Founded Abuse Finding Becomes Principal of a Special School
Despite the founded finding against him, John Condon continued his career in education.
- Head of Adult Education, Down Syndrome Ireland (2022–2025): Condon worked with adults with Down Syndrome while under investigation by Tusla . A spokeswoman for Down Syndrome Ireland said the organisation was “not aware of the accusations” and that at the time of hiring, “the individual was subject to Garda vetting and references” .
- Lecturing on Child Protection While Under Investigation: In a shocking twist, Condon delivered a joint webinar to members of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) while Tusla was investigating him. He lectured fellow teachers on compliance with reporting and child safeguarding obligations — including how to report issues to Tusla . The CPSMA confirmed it was “not made aware of the Tusla finding” against Condon .
- Principal of Belmayne Community Special School (November 2025–present): Condon was appointed principal of the new school for children with autism and complex needs .
Other Former Students Speak Out
Following the Mail on Sunday’s revelations, other former students came forward with more allegations .
One former student, now 37, told how Condon “roughed me up fairly badly” :
“He caught me by the two lapels of my shirt and dragged me out over the table. I caught my knees on the way out.”
He also described how Condon pulled an eyebrow piercing out of his face as he walked past .
“I was among a handful of children that he targeted… Looking back on it all now, I was a 12-year-old chap, and I wasn’t a big one.”
Another former student claimed Condon physically confronted him in 2001, aged 14 :
“I refused to let him hit me with a T-square and he squared up to me. I was boarding, and was kicked out of his house.”
He described Condon as “a weak man and he was exercising the little power he had” .
The Current Scandal: Parents Speak Out
Parents at Belmayne Community Special School learned of the allegations when Manning went public with his testimony in the Mail on Sunday .
They have now raised serious concerns about conditions at the school .
The school opened last November — children have yet to attend a full school day .
The Belmayne Parents Group issued a damning statement :
“How was this individual appointed as principal?”
They listed a series of failures :
- Reduced school hours due to staffing issues
- “Unwarranted suspensions” in the absence of consistent behaviour support plans
- “School injuries” without incident reports
- A lack of appropriate supports for children with complex needs
- High staff turnover
- A complete breakdown in communications between school leadership and parents
The Case of a Non-Verbal Boy Suspended Repeatedly
One parent told Dublin Live about his nine-year-old non-verbal son :
“My son has never done a full day [since starting last November]. John has suspended him a few times because of his behaviour. He suspended him and told him, ‘let this be a day of reflection’. How does a nine-year-old non-verbal child reflect on a suspension?”
The parent said Condon threatened his child’s placement at the school :
“He gave me a letter where he stated that his placement was under threat… knowing this is a child with additional needs, and how hard it is to get into a school.”
Another parent said her child was placed on a reduced timetable and that she encountered difficulty obtaining incident reports from the school .
The parents group has now called on minister of state Michael Moynihan, children’s minister Norma Foley, and education minister Hildegarde Naughton to address “serious failures within many systems” .
They have demanded an “urgent independent external review into safeguarding, governance, staffing levels, and special education provision” .
The Cover-Up: A System That Protects Itself
The question that has outraged parents is simple: how was John Condon appointed principal of a school for vulnerable children when Tusla had already determined abuse allegations against him were “founded” ?
The answer reveals a system that protects itself.
The Department of Education said it does not comment on individual cases but considers child protection a fundamental responsibility .
Tusla said its Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure is used “only for the purpose of protecting children who could be at risk of abuse today, and not to decide if a criminal offence has been committed” .
The Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) — the school’s patron — said it is “following appropriate policies and procedures” .
But here is the critical question: when Tusla makes a “founded” finding, it must carry out a risk assessment to determine if the person poses a current risk to children .
“If the person does pose a risk to children, then the Garda National Vetting Bureau would be informed.”
Was Condon’s vetting record updated? The DDLETB did not answer questions about when it learned of the Tusla finding .
The Hypocrisy: A Mission Statement Exposed
Condon’s mission statement for Belmayne Community Special School is now a devastating irony :
“We strive to create a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where children with additional needs feel understood, valued, and encouraged to grow each day.”
The man who wrote those words had been found by Tusla to have abused a vulnerable child. He had forced students to stand outside in their underwear. He had ordered a student to be assaulted with a T-square. He had threatened and intimidated.
The Unanswered Questions
This scandal raises urgent questions:
- Why was John Condon allowed to continue working with vulnerable children after Tusla made a “founded” finding against him?
- Why was his vetting record not updated to reflect the finding?
- What vetting and safeguarding protocols were followed by DDLETB during the hiring process?
- Why are children at Belmayne Community Special School experiencing suspensions, reduced timetables, and injuries — and why is the principal still in post?
- Who will be held accountable?
Conclusion
John Condon was accused of abusing a vulnerable child. Tusla found the allegations were “founded”. He was appointed principal of a school for children with autism and complex needs.
Parents have now called for a full investigation. Children have yet to attend a full school day. Parents are being told their children’s placements are at risk. The school’s patron has failed to provide answers.
Manning told Tusla why he came forward :
“I believed and still believe that no child, special needs or otherwise, should have to put up with the behaviour I had to endure and that by staying silent, I was potentially allowing history to repeat itself.”
History has repeated itself.
Sources and Citations
- Irish Examiner – “Parents at school for autistic children seek inquiry over past abuse claims against principal” (6 May 2026)
- Irish Examiner – “Parents call on ministers to address ‘failures’ at special school amid principal abuse claims” (7 May 2026)
- gov.ie – “Belmayne Community Special School” (December 2025)
- Daily Mail – “Special needs principal with abuse finding lectured on child safety” (8 May 2026)
- Irish Independent – “Parents shocked as Dublin special school principal the centre of allegations at Wexford boarding school” (22 May 2026)
- Dublin Live – “Parents concerned after reports of abuse allegations against Dublin principal” (5 May 2026)
- Dublin Live – “External review into special school demanded amid principal abuse allegations” (11 May 2026)
- Daily Mail – “Teacher accused of CRUEL abuse now a special needs school principal” (5 May 2026)
- Irish Examiner – “He thought the case was over — until he discovered his former teacher still worked with vulnerable children” (8 May 2026)
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available court records, press releases, and reports from reputable news outlets. All individuals are presumed innocent of any criminal wrongdoing unless proven otherwise in a court of law. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice and is provided for informational and journalistic purposes only. Watchdog Witness does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. This article may be updated as further information becomes available.
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