Courts / Cork / Report

Priest appeals conviction for indecent assault of schoolboy

Summary

A retired priest, Tadhg O'Dalaigh, aged 73, is awaiting the result of an appeal against his conviction for indecently assaulting a 16‑year‑old boy at Coláiste Chroi Naofa in Carrignavar, County Cork, in 1979. He pleaded not guilty at the Cork Circuit Criminal Court and was found guilty by a jury, receiving a five‑year sentence with the final two years suspended by Judge Donagh McDonagh on 18 December 2014. O'Dalaigh's appeal, filed today, argues that the trial judge erred by refusing to give the jury a corroboration warning, claiming it would be dangerous to convict without corroboration. His barrister, Patrick Gageby SC, described the case as a classic "one person's word against the other" scenario, noting the incident was a one‑off event in a secluded location. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Garrett McCormack BL, maintained that the judge's discretion was exercised correctly and that no legal error occurred.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Priest appeals conviction for indecent assault of schoolboy. Charges or matters: one count of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old boy at Colaiste Chroi Naofa in Carrignavar, Co Cork on a date unknown in 1979. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• December 18, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-03-24 Publication

Why: The court heard that it was a once-off incident in a secluded place and the trial judge said he would not give a corroboration warning because he would not have been able to contextualise it. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Priest who had appeal against indecent assault conviction funded by Church is awarded legal costs
• Church funded legal costs of retired priest's appeal
• Priest jailed for indecently assaulting schoolboy has conviction quashed on appeal

Read the original CNI report