ABUSE survivor Peter Fitzpatrick has today waived his right to anonymity so a convicted paedophile can be named publicly for the first time.

John Phelan, 64, has previously served time for molesting and sexually assaulting two brothers — one of whom later took his own life.

In an exclusive interview with the Irish Sun on Sunday, Peter tells how he is speaking out to warn against the development of the school on Phelan’s doorstep.

The proposed new building is set to be built on a site beside Phelan’s pad in Trumera, Co Laois.

The two-acre greenfield site, which is beside the hurling club and community hall, was provided free of charge by the parish.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan recently heralded the news that the Department of Education had sanctioned funding for the new school.

But Peter today speaks out against the location amid concerns the new building will be in the vicinity of a convicted paedophile.

Meanwhile Phelan, who was convicted of abusing two brothers as young as nine, admitted to the Irish Sun on Sunday that he understood the concerns and would “object” to the school going there himself.

In an emotional appeal, Peter, who is a father himself, urged the authorities to think again.

The 41-year-old, who was molested by Phelan, told the Irish Sun on Sunday: “I don’t care about adults there, they can make their own decisions. But kids don’t have a choice.

“The thing that sticks in my head is what is to stop this guy taking pictures of kids, putting them on the internet, or even selling them on to a paedophile ring. Who knows?

“But the simple fact of the matter is that I think it is wrong.

“I am disgusted that nothing has been mentioned about this before.

“My problem is that in [John Phelan’s] head he is normal and kids are prey and a school is to be built across from a convicted paedophile. I don’t think anyone in this country would want that.”

Gaelscoil Trumera last month applied for permission for the construction of a new school.

Government funding for a replacement school building was approved for the Gaelscoil in Trumera in June.

There is no suggestion that any officials of the school or the Department of Education were aware of Phelan’s proximity to the new site.

But Peter is strongly objecting to the location of the new school.

He said: “All I care about is the fact that a paedophile is going to be across from the school where innocent children are going.

“Children don’t know what that means. Even if you tell your kids, they are still danger.

“Some people might take him back under the wing, there is this kind of forgive-and-forget thing. But I don’t agree.

“All I know is this guy is a danger, of course he’s a danger. I just think it is wrong, I think it is shameful.

“I’m one of the people who was abused by him.

“It took me a long time. The damage he done to me didn’t hit me until my late 20s, early 30s.

“The fact of the matter is that this guy poses a threat and a danger. And I would hate for some child to grow up the way I grew up. In terms of my mental health.

“I was forced to see things that were way beyond my age, it was very graphic.

“The molestation was daily. I didn’t know any of this at the time, for me it was just messing.

“Then it turned out he sexually abused my brother. There is all of these underlying factors.

“He got a concurrent sentence, he served four of nine years. He was convicted of abusing me and my brother. He got that because he pleaded guilty.

“This guy is calculating, he will befriend and groom, that’s how he works.”

"Of course he's a danger... the problem is that in his head he is normal and kids are prey"

Speaking about his horror abuse, Peter says it left him with mental scars as he insisted he didn’t want anyone else to suffer.

The dad, who has moved away from Laois but still visits family in the area, said: “For us he was like the big brother.

“And he used to take us hunting and fishing and swimming, and it all led up to this. He would allow us to drive his car and feed his greyhound and all these things.

“And everything was grooming, grooming to get us really close and when he got us really close, then he started the molestation.

“When the cops came I was able to give them information that was able to lead them to piles of pornography, cassettes, magazines that I’d seen, I was able to describe him naked and his manhood and all of this stuff.

“The pornography was hardcore. This was group sex and hardcore stuff — people being hit and people in pain. It was tough. It was really weird, it had a huge mental affect on me.

“I just think that if this can be avoided for somebody else, then that’s the most important thing. There is no other reason, I don’t have another agenda for this.”

As he relived his abuse, Peter pleaded with the authorities not to go ahead with the school at the site beside Phelan’s home.

He said: “Somebody has to grant planning permission. When I found out about the new school being built outside his house, I was disgusted. I would have objected to it straight away if I had known.

“I don’t consider myself a victim anymore, I’m done with that, but the simple fact of the matter is that I care about the kids. I don’t think anyone should go through that.

“No child should be denied their innocence. They should be allowed to grow up in a safe manner.

“I have told my kids about him, that he hurt Daddy when he was small, stay away from this man, if he ever comes near you, you’ve got to scream.

“He’s always around. If you are outside on the road, I’ll guarantee 100 per cent that he will come out.

“It’s hard to handle. I’m not worried about me — I’m worried about the children.”

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan confirmed that Gaelscoil Thromaire is set for a revamp.

He said: “I am pleased to announce that the Department of Education has sanctioned funding for a replacement school premises for Trumera Gaelscoil.

“For too long, students and teachers in Trumera have worked out of less than ideal conditions and I am pleased that they can now look forward to a replacement school building on a greenfield site which was provided free of charge by the parish.

“I wish to pay tribute to the Board of Management and parents who have campaigned for an upgraded school facility for their children for many years.

“In particular I wish to pay tribute to School Principal Mr Liam O’Neill, not only for his commitment to the building project but for his dedication to the Irish Language and Culture throughout his teaching career.

“Education is key to our ambitions as a nation and we’re investing more in education than ever to help us deliver on this ambition — over €10billion in 2018, the biggest ever budget for education.”

The recently-retired principal of the school is former GAA President Liam O’Neill.

The principal of Gaelscoil Thromaire near Mountrath closed the doors of his single room school for the last time on June 22, just as funding was agreed by the Department of Education to build a brand new school building, replacing a 117-year-old building and single prefab.

Speaking at the time of the announcement in June of this year, O’Neill said: “This is not just a new school, a school anchors a community. Our hurling club gives it recognition, but the fact that the department has endorsed what we are doing is a vote of confidence in the community of Trumera.

“For me, for my family, friends and neighbours, I couldn’t tell you the joy.”

O’Neill told how the present school building is the oldest in Ireland to still operate as a school without extensive refurbishment.

He said: “It was well overdue, we are not getting anything we are not entitled to. It was a long process.”

The school teaches 36 boys and girls who come from a wide catchment to learn through Irish.

O’Neill, at the time, said he expected that the new building, going on a two-acre site beside the hurling club and community hall, will be able to take more pupils.

He said: “It is new era. A new principal will be appointed to build on what we have done and take the school to a different level.”

In response to concerns that the new school will be in the vicinity of a convicted paedophile, a Department of Education spokesperson told the Irish Sun on Sunday: “Under the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is responsible for the governance and management of a school and for ensuring that as far as practicable children are safe from harm while availing of the school’s services.

“The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and An Garda Siochana are the statutory bodies responsible for assessing and investigating child protection concerns.”