Bryan Hughes, 42, of Lower Salt Hill Road, Galway, was charged with causing serious harm to the man, who is in his 20s, on June 11th, last year on Dominick Street.

The former colleague told Eoin Lawlor BL prosecuting that he began teaching in the school in 1992 and the accused was teaching there at the same time.

The study also found almost a quarter of those were considering the move due to financial reasons.

The messages, sent by the male teacher to the girls aged 13 and 14, included describing one girl 'as a little ride'