In granting planning permission the planning commission has overturned a refusal by Dublin City Council issued earlier this year.

The former teacher at Terenure College is currently serving a global sentence of 10 and a half years for his offending against 45 boys, all of whom were students at the Dublin secondary school.

The scheme comprises 265 apartments and 19 four-bed houses with the apartments located across four blocks with one block rising to six storeys

John McClean (79) was convicted of sexually abusing a total of 45 pupils.

Paul Kennedy, a former Terenure College student said: “Let's be very blunt about that, because that's an admission of guilt, their moral compasses are now set by accountants and lawyers."

Lioncor says the council’s decision to limit numbers of rental-only apartments to a maximum of 40% of any complex is a departure from national policy

McClean (78) of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6, is already serving an eight-year sentence handed down in 2021 for abusing 23 pupils at the south Dublin school.

John McClean has been returned for trial accused of indecently assaulting boys at a south Dublin school

John McClean (76) was charged with 49 counts of indecent assault of a number of boys in the 1970s and 1980s

John McClean (76) was charged with 49 counts of indecent assault of a number of boys in the 1970s and 1980s

The Carmelite Order - which runs Terenure College and owns the substantial landbank at the college - had stated the development would help secure the future viability of the college

The Carmelite Order - which runs Terenure College and owns the substantial landbank at the college - state that the development will help secure the future viability of the college.