Waterford ex-teacher jailed for 15 years over 97 sexual offences against boys

Barra Connolly, 81, does not accept verdict of jury as psychological report notes he is afraid of dying in prison but realises this is now realistic

The Central Criminal Court heard that Barra Connolly was found guilty by a jury sitting in Waterford of 23 counts of rape, 73 counts of sexual assault, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. File picture

An 81-year-old former teacher has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of 97 sexual offences against four teenage boys.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Barra Connolly was found guilty by a jury sitting in Waterford of 23 counts of rape, 73 counts of sexual assault, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, which occurred at his then home in Chapel St, Lismore, Co Waterford, on dates between 1997 and 2006.