Ryan backed for leadership Green light
78-year-old who preyed on children gets 3yrs Through my life I believed I was the only one
A FORMER school principal convicted of sexually abusing seven of his pupils has been jailed for three years.
After a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last March, Patrick Harte, 78, was convicted of 11 counts of indecent assault on children at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers Primary School in Dublin from 1968 to 1970.
Following yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Fr Tony Conlon, one of the victims who is now a Catholic priest, said he “hoped and prayed” this day would come.
He added they had fought the case for seven years and “finally vindication has come for all of us”.
Fr Conlon called on people to come forward “if you have been abused or hurt in any way”.
He urged victims not to be ashamed and said if they speak out they will “get the best help and support”.
Fr Conlon thanked his solicitor, counsellor One In Four, his friends and family, the “wonderful and dedicated” staff of the DPP, prosecuting barristers and the detective unit in Kevin Street who “worked tirelessly to bring the investigation to its successful completion”.
The court heard previously that when gardai put the allegations to Harte in 2015, the ex-teacher claimed they had “a vendetta against him”.
Prosecutor Anne Rowland told the court there is no evidence any of the victims were ever in contact with each other since the offending took place.
Det Gda Garvan Ware said: “As far as I’m concerned, they are all independent.”
Harte, of Glendown Park, Templeogue, Dublin, had denied the charges and in court claimed the State had “validated” his teaching at the time and could not now “invalidate it”.
He said: “I abhor all forms of child abuse, discrimination and social injustice.”
Harte told Judge Martin Nolan he would go to the High Court if his sentence reflected a “sectarian” motivated prosecution and said he has instructed his solicitor to appeal.
Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Nolan said at the time of the offending Harte was the victims’ teacher and that they found him cruel and “too fond of punishment”.
He added the evidence seemed to indicate “a pattern of misbehaviour” and the victims were “particularly courageous” in coming forward.
At an earlier hearing, the court heard Harte repeatedly and continuously molested the children amidst an atmosphere in his class of severe corporal punishment and verbal abuse.
Victims testified at the trial he would find reasons to call them up to his desk, sometimes for praise and at other times for correction of minor misbehaviours.
He would warn the rest of the class to look at their books and not raise their heads before proceeding to fondle the boys’ genital areas.
Ms Rowland told the court three of the victims wished to waive their anonymity.
Asked about this, Dermot Hallion confirmed this was the case and said: “Yes, I didn’t commit any crime.”
He told the court that the abuse continued to affect him into adulthood, causing him to feel worthless and low in confidence.
Fr Conlon said the abuse had “a paralysing effect” on his life and prevented him from achieving so many things. He added: “Throughout my life I always believed I was the only one, I had no idea there were others who suffered.
“I felt I had done something wrong and afraid I would be found out.”
He said he was terrified someone would discover he was the victim of child abuse and this might cause them to think he would be an abuser himself.
Ms Rowland outlined to the court evidence that Harte would regularly beat pupils with a leather strap which he constantly had to hand.
She said victims described being afraid of him and being punished for the slightest thing.
Fr Conlon told gardai that Harte once smashed a pupil’s head up against a wall and other victims described “constant beatings” with the leather. One victim’s mother confronted Harte in the staffroom and Harte denied he had done anything wrong.
Dt Gda Ware agreed with defence counsel Patrick Gageby that the prosecution had not brought any charges of child cruelty or physical abuse.
Harte had been due to be sentenced twice earlier this week.
On Monday, Judge Nolan denied a defence application to adjourn the case for two months because of Harte’s risk of getting Covid-19.
On Tuesday, Harte failed to show up again and his lawyers told the court he had gone into hospital with cardiac issues. Harte gave evidence during the trial in which he denied the allegations.
Eamon Ryan
GREEN Party leader Eamon Ryan has been backed to see off the challenge of Catherine Martin.
The 56-year-old has cemented his position as favourite to survive the leadership election.
Hustings began this week on the unfamiliar platform of Zoom, with the results of the ballot due to be announced in less than a fortnight.
Current deputy leader Ms Martin was gambled in to 13/8 from 10/1 with Boylesports when she confirmed her intention to stand, however her odds have now eased to 2/1.
Mr Ryan has shortened to 1/3 from 4/6 and Leon Blanche of Boylesports said it will take a “significant upset” for him to lose his grip on the leadership.
FR TONY CONLON DUBLIN YESTERDAY