OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A woman who claims to be the former girlfriend of Thornton Academy teacher and local bar owner Keith O’Leary has received an order of protection order against him, claiming he assaulted her.

O’Leary teaches History at Thornton Academy and coaches volleyball. He is a former dormitory parent. Thornton Academy spokeswoman Patricia Erickson said O’Leary is currently under administrative leave.

The ex-girlfriend originally filed a temporary protection order Dec. 21, 2015.

On Feb. 10, O’Leary was arrested on charges of violating a protection order, possession of marijuana and sale or use of drug paraphernalia. 

A permanant protection order was granted Feb. 8 in Biddeford District Court and remains in effect until Aug. 8, 2018. It bars O’Leary from his ex-girlfriend’s home and her place of work. It also prohibits O’Leary from injuring or threatening to injure the couple’s dog, which the ex-girlfriend says in court documents that she has custody of. 

The ex-girlfriend claims O’Leary abused her at UpTown O’Leary’s Tap at 41 Old Orchard St., the bar he owns and she helped him to run. She claims he “assaulted me with his hands many times.” 

Under the terms of the protection order, both parties must agree not to discuss personal or business relationships with associates or friends or on social media.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.