Courts / Cork / Report
Former Christian Brother who indecently assaulted pupils returned to prison following appeal
Summary
Edward Bryan, a former Christian Brother aged 61, was returned to prison after an appeal. He had been convicted in 2013 of indecently assaulting three boys at North Monastery secondary school in Cork between 1984 and 1990, on seven of ten counts. He had been sentenced to five years imprisonment, but a 2013 bail allowed him to challenge the conviction and sentence. In May 2015, one count was quashed, the others upheld, and the appeal dismissed. During the sentence appeal, Bryan cited a Court of Appeal ruling that the maximum sentence for indecently assaulting a male at that time was two years, not ten. The Court of Appeal, however, imposed three consecutive 10‑month sentences, totaling two‑and‑a‑half years in prison. The judge noted Bryan's role as a teacher, his involvement in basketball, the nature of the abuse, and his otherwise good character. He was taken to custody and returned to prison. Edward Bryan pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former Christian Brother who indecently assaulted pupils returned to prison following appeal. Charges or matters: 10 counts of indecently assaulting four boys at the North Monastery secondary school in Cork on dates between September 1 1984 and June 30 1990. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- September 1 1984 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 30 1990 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 1 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-25 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: 10 counts of indecently assaulting four boys at the North Monastery secondary school in Cork on dates between September 1 1984 and June 30 1990 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards, sentenced Bryan to three consecutive 10 month sentences or two-and-a-half years in prison overall. Balance was achieved, the judge said, by imposing an overall sentence on Bryan of two-and-a-half years in prison, Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards, imposed three 10 month consecutive sentences on Bryan.
Appellant
Charges: 10 counts of indecently assaulting four boys at the North Monastery secondary school in Cork on dates between September 1 1984 and June 30 1990 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: former Christian Brother jailed for indecently assaulting three boys at a secondary school in Cork in the 1980s and 90s has been returned to jail following an appeal.
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Supreme Court
Topics
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