Former GAA coach has conviction for sexually abusing boys upheld

A former GAA coach's conviction for sexually abusing five boys has been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Ronan McCormack, aged 75, from Cuppanagh, Cloonloo, Co Sligo, was found guilty at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court of 53 counts of indecently assaulting boys aged between 10 and 13 at various locations between October 1981 and August 1986. He was sentenced to seven years and 10 months imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, in July 2014. The three-judge Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, finding the complainants' evidence "powerful and indeed compelling". While the court identified issues with the trial judge's handling of corroboration matters, it determined these were not significant enough to undermine the conviction. The court noted the case was particularly strong, with striking similarities in the evidence presented.