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'Nobody cared, nobody apologised': latest case sees ex-Synge St Principal record 89 convictions for sexual abuse
Summary
Patrick Harte, 84, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing following his conviction on 17 counts of indecent or sexual assault against eight boys between 1969 and 1986. Harte, a former teacher and principal at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers school on Synge Street, pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to deny any offending. This fourth set of prosecutions brings his total convictions for sexual or indecent assaults to 89, involving 32 victims. During the hearing, Judge Martina Baxter heard victim impact statements detailing long-term mental health effects, including alcohol addiction and trust issues. One victim stated that "nobody cared, nobody has ever apologised." Defense counsel John Griffin BL stated Harte does not accept the jury verdicts and instructed that no plea of mitigation would be entered. Harte addressed the court, attempting to raise issues regarding evidence from a different trial, which the Judge dismissed as irrelevant to this hearing. The court noted Harte's previous sentences, including a three-year term in 2020 and a four-year term in December 2024. Judge Baxter adjourned the finalisation of sentencing to March 18 next.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Nobody cared, nobody apologised': latest case sees ex-Synge St Principal record 89 convictions for sexual abuse. Charges or matters: all charges and continues to deny any offending; 22 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault; indecently assaulting. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 1968 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 1970 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2020 Other
- December 2024 Other
- March 18 Adjournment
- 1967 to 2007 Other
- 1969 and 1986 Incident
- 1967 and 1970 Incident
- 1969 and 1971 Incident
- 2026-02-16 Publication
Why: One victim told gardai that in around 1976 he became upset because his father was undergoing heart surgery. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: all charges and continues to deny any offending; 22 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault; indecently assaulting (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Photo: Collins) Serial child abuser Patrick Harte will be sentenced next month for repeated attacks on another eight boys four decades ago, with one victim telling a court that he feels sad looking back at what took place at the Synge Street school and that "nobody cared, nobody has ever apologised". In December 2024, Harte was jailed for four years for the sexual abuse of a further eight former primary school students on dates between 1967 and 1970.; She adjourned finalisation of sentencing to March 18 next.
Places mentioned
- Synge Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Glendown Park
- Dublin
Topics
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