Courts / Dublin / Report
"Cruel" former principal (78) who abused boys is jailed
Summary
Patrick Harte, aged 78, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of 11 counts of indecent assault on seven pupils at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school between September 1968 and September 1970. The trial heard that Harte repeatedly molested boys while subjecting them to severe corporal punishment and verbal abuse. Victims testified that he would call them to his desk for praise or correction, warn the class to keep their heads down, and fondle their genital areas. Harte denied the allegations, claiming the State had validated his teaching and that the prosecution was sectarian. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to a total of three years' imprisonment: two years for the first count, one year for the second, and one year for each of the remaining nine counts, all running concurrently. The sentence was imposed after Harte's repeated failure to attend earlier hearings and his subsequent hospitalization. Patrick Harte pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Cruel" former principal (78) who abused boys is jailed. Charges or matters: 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven pupils at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street, Dublin between September 1968 and September 1970. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 1968 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 1970 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-07-10 Publication
Why: On Monday Judge Nolan denied a defence application to adjourn the case for two months because of Harte's risk of getting Covid-19. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven pupils at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street, Dublin between September 1968 and September 1970 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He sentenced Harte to two years imprisonment for the first count of indecent assault on the indictment and one year imprisonment for the second count on the indictment, which he ordered to run consecutive to the former sentence. Judge Nolan sentenced Harte to one year imprisonment on each of the remaining nine counts of indecent assault, but ordered that they run concurrent to the other sentence, resulting in an effective sentence of three years imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- High Court
- Synge Street
- Glendown Park
- Dublin
Topics
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