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80-year-old former primary school principal loses appeal against conviction for indecently assaulting pupils
Summary
Patrick Barry, 80, former principal of Moyasta National School in west Clare, was convicted of indecent assault on 11 female pupils between 1964 and 1985. He pleaded not guilty to 67 charges but was found guilty on 59 counts by a jury, with the remaining eight dismissed by Judge Gerald Keyes. Barry received an 11‑year prison sentence, of which the final five years were suspended. On 20 April 2015, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against conviction. Justice Garrett Sheehan, sitting with Justices George Birmingham and Alan Mahon, ruled that Barry's 12 grounds of appeal were unsubstantiated. The appeal was rejected, leaving the original conviction and sentence in place. The case highlighted allegations that Barry had physically abused pupils in class, including touching them indecently and forcing them to touch his genital area.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 80-year-old former primary school principal loses appeal against conviction for indecently assaulting pupils. Charges or matters: 67 charges of indecently assaulting 11 women on dates between 1964 and 1985 while they attended Moyasta National School as pupils. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 19 2014 Incident
- 1964 and 1985 Incident
- 2015-04-20 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Sheehan said at one point during the trial, the prosecution offered to amend the indictment by further particularising counts, but explained that this could lead to an indictment containing "up to 300 counts". Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: 67 charges of indecently assaulting 11 women on dates between 1964 and 1985 while they attended Moyasta National School as pupils (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment with the final five suspended by Judge Keyes at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on November 19 2014. Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, put the matter of Barry's appeal against sentence back to Friday next.
Places mentioned
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