Former Waterford Christian Brother jailed for four and a half years for sexual abuse of 19 boys

Octogenarian sexually abused 19 schoolboys almost 50 years ago 

Liam Coughlan at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street in Dublin during his trial. Picture: Paddy Cummins

An octogenarian former Christian Brother who sexually abused 19 schoolboys almost 50 years ago, “instilling fear and embarrassment” in his victims, has been jailed for four and a half years.

Liam Coughlan, 87, pleaded guilty to 19 counts of indecently assaulting 19 boys when he was a teacher in a school in the south east of the country on dates between 1974 and 1978.