Courts / Sligo / Report

Former GAA coach has conviction for sexually abusing boys upheld

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former GAA coach has conviction for sexually abusing boys upheld. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• October 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 1986 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 25, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-07-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report