Five men go on trial over historic abuse of boys at Fife residential school

Five men have gone on trial at the High Court in Glasgow over the historic abuse of boys at a residential school in Fife between 1967 and 1983.

The men are charged with abusing the boys who were aged between 11 and 16 at the former St Ninian’s School (pictured) in Falkland. The school was run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers – a religious order of the Catholic Church.

The accused, John Farrell, 73, Paul Kelly, 63, Edward Egan, 78, Michael Murphy, 76, and William Don, 61, denied the all 121 charges involving sexual and physical abuse.

The Crown claim that a total of 35 boys were brutally sexually assaulted and beaten with a variety of implements, including shoes, belts and ropes.

John Farrell faces charges of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old boy by simulating sex with him and forcing a pair of underpants into his mouth to prevent him screaming. He also faces a charge he indecently assaulted a boy at a monastery on the isle of Iona is said to have attacked the same boy at a Catholic church in Motherwell.

Paul Kelly is accused of stripping a 13-year-old boy and leaving him rolled up in said rug against a pillar in the main hallway of the school overnight striking him on the head and body. He is also said to have stripped another pupil and hung him upside down from a bridge. “unnatural carnal connection” with a boy

Farrell, who is represented by QC Edward Targowski, lodged a special defence of alibi and Don, who is represented by advocate Laura Thomson, lodged special defences of alibi and incrimination.

Farrell, Kelly and Egan were Christian Brothers at the time of the offences while Murphy – previously a Christian Brother – was a social worker and Don a physical education teacher.

Dozens of witnesses are expected to give evidence during the trial which is expected to last between 12 and 14 weeks.