Toowoomba principal Terence Hayes knew pedophile teacher was a risk

By Sarah Elks
Australian
February 19, 2014

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/toowoomba-principal-terence-hayes-knew-pedophile-teacher-was-a-risk/story-fngburq5-1226831526204#

[with video]

SARAH ELKS THE AUSTRALIAN FEBRUARY 19, 2014

A FORMER Catholic principal admits he knew an alleged pedophile teacher was a “risk” to his students after a child complained he’d sexually abused her, but failed to report him to police and kept him on as teacher and child protection officer.

After intense questioning by barrister Andrew Naylor, counsel assisting the sex abuse Royal Commission, sacked Toowoomba primary school principal Terence Hayes today conceded he had “ultimate responsibility” to tell police of alleged sexual abuse.

Mr Hayes was principal when teacher Gerard Vincent Byrnes molested or raped 13 girls - aged between eight and 10 - at the school in 2007 and 2008, with most of the incidents occurring in his classroom during class.

Byrnes is in prison after pleading guilty to 44 counts of abuse, including 10 of digital rape, and Mr Hayes has a new job as Year 7 teacher at a Catholic school.