Pair appeal convictions for abuse committed more than 40 years ago

Two men convicted of historical sexual abuse have brought appeals against their convictions to the Court of Appeal. Francis McLoughlin, aged 66, of Mahanagh, Cloonloo, Co Sligo, was found guilty of indecently assaulting two young boys between 1963 and 1974. Brian Wynne, aged 59, of Derrynacarn, Cloonloo, Co Sligo, was convicted on five counts of indecently assaulting one of the boys in a period ending January 1973. Both were sentenced in October 2014 following trial at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court. McLoughlin's counsel argued his conviction was unsafe due to trial mismanagement, including the refusal to order separate trials and inadequate treatment of corroboration. Wynne's counsel appealed on grounds including delay, system evidence, corroboration, and the separate trials issue. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended the system of abuse was distinctive and properly established. The three-judge court reserved judgement.