“Prolific sexual abuser” sentenced for sexual assault on 11-year-old former student

A 77-year-old retired schoolteacher described by a judge as a “prolific sexual abuser” was sentenced to two years in prison on one count of sexual assault of an 11-year-old former student.

Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced Pat Curran of Sheshkin Beg, Derrybeg, Co Donegal, to two years imprisonment on Friday of last week at Sligo Circuit Court, with the final year suspended.

The defendant was previously sentenced to nine years in prison having been convicted of 192 counts of sexual assault on nine students he taught at St John’s National School, Sligo on dates between 1966 and 1984.

Mr Leo Mulrooney BL with Ms Elisa McHugh State Solicitor for the prosecution told the court the accused had initially pleaded guilty but then made an application to resile from his plea which was refused by Judge Comerford at the last sitting of the criminal court.

The victim Bernard O’Hehir (40), waived his right to anonymity. The court heard he was 11 years-old at the time of the offence, and the accused was a 48-year-old man.

The victim, born in Sligo, lived in the town up to 2010 before moving to Cork. He lived across the road from St John’s where he attended the all-male school from first class.

At first, he enjoyed school up to fourth class before being taught by Mr Curran.

His parents had separated when he was a child, and he was aware of the difficulties in the marriage which was a source of difficulty for him. The accused initially comforted and hugged him at a difficult time in his life.

This occurred when he would stay back after class and they were alone and progressed to sexual assault. In his victim statement, which was read to court by Detective Garda Gary Conneely, Mr O’Hehir said he firmly believed Pat Curran destroyed his life and soul. He said he was enjoying being a child and things were difficult enough as an 11-year-old when, “out of nowhere” he began lashing-out, self-harming and bed-wetting. He said he stole, lied and cheated and was expelled from two secondary schools and Youth Reach. And as an adult, he experienced homelessness and five years of drug-taking.

In sentencing, Judge Johnson acknowledged Mr O’Hehir’s life had been diminished by the offence and spiralled out of control. He commended the man for having the strength of character to come forward with his complaint. He said he deserved great credit for providing strength and support to other victims and was putting his life back on track moving forward to a complete life. He described Mr Curran as a “prolific sexual abuser” saying it was quite appalling that a teacher behaved in such a fashion to a student in his care. The abuse had shattered Mr O’Hehir’s confidence and had a negative impact on life.

He said he took into account the mitigating factor which was his guilty plea albeit diluted by his application to resile from the plea ventured to Judge Comerford.

He also did not co-operate with the Gardaí when interviewed and denied the charges.

The court heard how the accused lived an isolated existence and, as a result of being on the sexual offenders’ register suffered a lot of notoriety and isolation.

Defending Mr Coleman Fitzgerald SC instructed by Ms Siúna Bartels solicitor said his client’s brother had died two weeks ago and he needed time to arrange care of their farm animals. Judge Johnson imposed a sentence on Mr Curran of two years imprisonment suspending the final year noting the accused’s age.

He directed he begin his sentence on Friday, October 21 granting him one week to arrange care of the animals and enter into a bond to keep the peace and be of good character.