A teacher who indecently assaulted nine boys he taught at a Sligo primary school has been jailed for 12 years.
Patrick Curran (59), a teacher at St John's National School, Temple Street, Sligo, since July 1966, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury last month of 192 counts of indecently assaulting nine different boys between September 1966 and June 1984.
Judge Michael White said the children were at the "mercy" of their teacher who "cruelly violated them in the basest way". He described Curran as "calculated, deceitful and clever", and as a "determined paedophile".
Curran denied an initial 237 counts of the indecent assault of ten boys between September 1966 and June 1984.
Judge White directed the jury, on day eight of the trial, to find the accused not guilty of 37 of the charges as the complainant in respect of those counts did not give evidence. A direction of not guilty was also given as a result of submissions in respect of a further seven counts on the indictment.
The jury heard from nine men who were indecently assaulted by Curran during their time in his class. The men said Curran would place his hand on a knee and move it up towards the genital area, both over and under clothing. He would squeeze and rub the boys' genitals.
The jury heard these incidents took place on a regular basis during school terms and were unwanted and caused distress and confusion.
The court heard Curran deny the allegations against him and call them preposterous and ridiculous. He denied suggestions he systematically targeted vulnerable boys who were least able to offer resistance, and denied he had not believed that a remedial pupil would ever have the courage or gumption to come forward.
He said he is a "gay person" with a sexual preference for old people over 65 years old. He said he would not be interested in anyone younger and said "the sexuality of children means nothing to me".