Ex-teacher jailed for abusing former pupils

A teacher, described as a "determined paedophile", who indecently assaulted nine boys he taught at a Sligo primary school has been jailed for 12 years by Judge Michael White.

Patrick Curran, aged 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 boys between September 1966 and June 1984.

Judge 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 10 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.

A complainant in respect of 20 of the charges told Mr Enna Mulloy SC, (with Mr Fergal Foley BL), prosecuting, that Curran would regularly sit beside him while correcting his work and squeeze and caress his knee, moving up his leg to his penis.

He said he hated wearing shorts as they provided easier access as Mr Curran’s hand could go up inside them.

The witness said the incidents occurred on a regular basis "sometimes weekly, sometimes more" over the two years he attended the school between the ages of eight and 10.

Curran earlier told his counsel Ms Grainne McMorrow SC (with Mr Colm O’Briain BL), he categorically denies the allegations against him and called them preposterous and ridiculous.

He denied suggestions he systematically targeted vulnerable boys who were least able to offer resistance and also denied that he had not believed that a remedial pupil would ever have the courage or gumption to come forward.

Curran said if he sat beside a pupil he would squeeze their knee or put a hand on their shoulder as he was leaving them as a gesture of comfort. He said he saw nothing wrong or sexual in this behaviour.

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".