REGULAR reviews of boarding accommodation will now take place to protect pupils at St Mary's Hall, says Stonyhurst College headmaster Adrian Aylward.

A married couple has been employed to run the redesigned and refurbished accommodation for boys and girls at both St Mary's Hall and Stonyhurst College, which are now fully co-educational.

Mr Aylward said: "The police continue to affirm, as they have done consistently throughout their investigation, that there is no evidence of any risk whatsoever to current pupils either at St Mary's Hall or at Stonyhurst College.

"Care of all our pupils at St Mary's Hall has been, and continues to be, of paramount importance, as indeed it is at Stonyhurst College.

"Our practices in this regard are regularly and rigorously scrutinised by Social Services inspectors to ensure proper protection of pupils in accordance with the provisions of the Child Protection Act.

"Social Services have expressed complete satisfaction with our current procedures.

"However, we are by no means complacent and these procedures are constantly reviewed to ensure that they conform to best practice." Robert O'Brien took early retirement from the school, but Mr Aylward refused to comment on whether his pension would still be paid by the school following his conviction, and said that the matter was dealt with by the governors.

Mr Aylward added: "My first thoughts in this distressing case are ones of sorrow and sadness for the three former pupils who have suffered abuse at St Mary's Hall.

"Now that the trial is over my hope is that they, and their families, will be able to start their lives afresh and put these events behind them.

"Ever since the allegations against Mr O'Brien first arose 15 months ago, I have been immensely encouraged by the understanding and support received from current and former parents and from former pupils across the world.

"The extended Stonyhurst family has been deeply hurt by the inquiries culminating in Mr O'Brien's trial, but I feel that we have been strengthened as a community by the experience."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.