Former school principal loses appeal against conviction for molesting 11 girls

A retired primary school principal from Co Clare has lost an appeal against his conviction for molesting 11 girls over a 21-year period.

Former school principal loses appeal against conviction for molesting 11 girls

A retired primary school principal from Co Clare has lost an appeal against his conviction for molesting 11 girls over a 21-year period.

80-year-old Patrick Barry of Well Road, Kilkee was found guilty last summer on 59 counts of indecent or sexual assault between 1964 and 1985.

Patrick Barry is serving a six-year jail sentence for sexually assaulting pupils at Moyasta National School, a small, mixed, two-teacher school in a rural area.

The former primary school principal was tried and convicted at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court late last year.

The jury heard evidence he molested 11 girls in fifth and sixth class - mostly in the classroom.

Four former pupils gave evidence in support of their claims, while seven witnesses called by the defence testified that they had never seen inappropriate behaviour.

On appeal, Patrick Barry's legal team argued the specifics of the charges were vague and that adverse rulings by the trial judge rendered the verdicts unsafe.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed his case on all grounds but the 80-year-old's lawyers will argue for a reduction of his sentence at a further hearing this Friday.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

McEntee: Group using arson to 'sow division and fear' in communities Four arrests in connection with fire at hotel earmarked for asylum seekers
Military accident Two further deaths on Irish roads after collisions in Roscommon and Dublin
Russian invasion of Ukraine Demand for State-provided beds to Ukrainians decreasing
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited