Teacher who denies sexual assault wants 'to get back to the job'

An empty classroom
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A date is yet to be determined as to when a teacher accused of sexually assaulting a colleague at work and in his home could face a decision on his future. In a 12 month period, Hugh O’Neill is alleged to have touched and made remarks about a former colleague’s breasts.

A teacher regulation agency (TRA) panel was told how during the same period, Mr O’Neill is alleged to have had sexual contact with a female colleague despite her asking him to stop. The woman, known as Colleague A who worked with the teacher at a school in Knowsley, sobbed after recalling how she felt she couldn't speak out for fears she would lose her job.

After three days of evidence and another of deliberation, a decision could not be made as to whether the allegations made about Mr O’Neill amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that brings the profession into disrepute.

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As a result, a wait goes on to establish whether the 45-year-old Irishman will be allowed to teach again. The hearing was told how Mr O’Neill is alleged to have made a number of comments about the female staff member, including saying she “looked busty” and was a “sexy b***h.” He denies the allegations and said there had been a consensual relationship between the pair.

Colleague A told the panel when she initially began chatting she didn’t treat him any differently to other colleagues. On one occasion Colleague A claimed she had been on a night out and was walking home at which point it is alleged Mr O’Neill called her and “insisted” on giving her a lift back.

She claimed the teacher had told her to wait where she was and after arriving at her home said “would it be cheeky if I asked for a kiss?” Colleague A said she was struck by the silence between them after she rejected this, which allegedly did not deter Mr O’Neill who said “it would be fun” and kept trying to kiss her “over a number of minutes.”

This was rejected by the teacher who described it as “a bit ludicrous to be honest, it’s not how I would conduct myself or behave.” During questioning from Mark Millin, on behalf of the TRA, regarding the alleged touching of colleague A’s breasts during the school day, Mr O’Neill said it would be “virtually impossible to behave like that in school” adding, “I know it didn’t happen.”

Mr O’Neill said he taught with “an open door policy so people can see me” and “my professionalism was paramount at all times.” Colleague A said how the alleged incidents made her feel like “less of a person and cheap” and it “reduced me to body parts every day.”

Asked by Mr O’Neill’s representative Nicholas Kennan why she didn’t report this behaviour if it made her feel this way, Colleague A said: “I honestly thought I would lose my job if I said anything. I didn’t think I’d be believed and they’d get rid of me and I’d have no job or money coming in.”

Put to her she was in a consensual relationship with Mr O’Neill, Colleague A denied this and said there had been a “clear power imbalance” between the two. Details were also made public about other alleged incidents that occurred outside of school.

It was claimed Mr O’Brien called Colleague A when he was drunk asking for a lift. The panel was told the woman “reluctantly” did so and went into his home where she was pressured to stay the night and share a bed with Mr O’Neill.

It was alleged he removed her jeans and had non-consensual sex with her. A month later, it was claimed Mr O’Neill called Colleague A again asking for a lift when he was drunk.

On this occasion, Colleague A claims he made her feel stupid for wearing jeans in the bed, prompting her to take them off. She alleged that following this, she was subjected to another non-consensual sexual assault.

Mr O’Neill claimed the pair had sex consensually and regarding the “very serious allegation” of a non-consensual sexual assault, he said: “I don’t know why she said it, but I didn’t do it.” The teacher added how he had provided 19 character witnesses “from the most senior pillars of society” and the alleged behaviour was not in his nature.

The teacher said he had been “open and honest” since an investigation was first launched. He claimed colleague A had been likened to a “bit of a fantasist” by someone they had both previously worked with and he did not know why she had made the allegations against him.

Mr Millin said there was "no obvious motive to make any of this up." He said Colleague A had not done so for vengeance or to get back at Mr O'Neill.

When put to him by his representative, Nicholas Kennan, Mr O’Neill said he would not describe colleague A as vulnerable and did not view her this way. Asked about his feelings towards Colleague A now, Mr O'Neill, who was visibly emotional, said: "I just want us both to get through this.

“Sometimes I'm bewildered why I'm sat here. I maintain I entered into a consensual relationship throughout. I got the help I need through counselling, the National Education Union and friends.

"I hope Colleague A finds peace and can move on with her life." He added how he refuted the suggestion his actions caused her "so much trauma" and wished her well and "nothing but happiness."

Mr O'Neill said: "I want to put this behind us and get back to the job I was taken away from." Colleague A resigned from the school claiming it “felt impossible to work there anymore.”

She said when the matter came to light she felt like she had betrayed Mr O’Neill by speaking up. All contact between the pair ceased according to Colleague A who said she could not forgive Mr O’Neill for what had happened. She said: “I just wanted to move on with my life.” A new date will be set for the case to be concluded.