George still seeking answers over historical assault claims

A NAVAN man who spent three nights up on the roof of a Navan primary school in 2021 to highlight claims he suffered sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a now retired garda 30 years ago says he is still awaiting answers.

George Foster's Scoil Mhuire NS rooftop demonstration 14 months ago was a repetition of an identical protest he carried out 27 years previously for the same reasons - demanding his case is heard.

The now 60-year-old former furniture maker hugged family and friends when he descended from the roof in November 2021 via a Navan Fire Service fire tender and hoist after his 72-hour long protest over three bitterly cold days and nights that exacerbated an existing lung condition.

Once down, George walked straight to Navan Garda station accompanied by his friend Bridget and Det Sgt Mark Looby who had helped talk George down.

George's decision to make the perilous climb to the primary school perch had been deliberate, it being just yards from Navan Garda station and the focus of his frustration - he claims gardai have been slow to act on his allegations. The protest, he said, had nothing whatsoever to do with the school and was chosen purely for it being within eyesight of Navan Garda station.

"I'm still waiting answers, the Gardai have said it will take time but it's frustrating. I didn't go up on that roof 30 years ago for nothing and I didn't go up again in November of 2021 for nothing and in all those years I've been left waiting for justice, for someone to be held accountable for what happened to me."

Mr Foster claims that he was the victim of serious sexual assaults and attacks over a four-year period by a now retired member of An Garda Siochana and that he carried out his first rooftop protest in 1994 to highlight the alleged abuses. His first protest lasted three days.

"I'm not giving up, my life was destroyed by what happened to me and I can't give up."

Navan Gardai have been contacted for comment.