Jail for 'sexual predator' former principal over abuse of boys

Patrick Harte does not accept the verdict of the jury and maintains his innocence

The eight victims in this case brings to 32 the number of boys abused by Patrick Harte. File picture: Collins Courts

 A former school principal described by a judge as “a sexual predator” who abused young boys in their “formative years” has been jailed for four years.

Patrick Harte, aged 84, was employed as a teacher at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers school on Synge St, Dublin, from 1967 to 2007, latterly as a principal. This fourth set of prosecutions brings to 89 his number of convictions for sexual or indecent assaults of young boys.