Former De La Salle school principal convicted of sexual abuse

The former principal of De La Salle National School, Con Desmond of Ennis, Co Clare, was found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault on a primary‑school pupil.

The Waterford Circuit Criminal Court heard that the abuse took place between September 1978 and December 1980 inside the school, with the victim describing a “game of cat and mouse” environment.

Desmond, now aged 90 and a former priest, denied the charges. The trial, which began in late October, was conducted before a jury of six men and six women. State counsel Niall Storan BL and State Solicitor Frank Hutchinson represented the State, while Gareth Hayden BL acted for Desmond, instructed by solicitor Evan O’Neill of Newell, Gillen and Cunningham Solicitors.

Evidence was provided by the victim, a friend of the victim and Detective Garda Seamus Halpin. The victim recounted being singled out, taken to Desmond’s office, forced to lean over without trousers or underwear, beaten with a metre stick and subjected to sexual assault.

The abuse ceased after the victim confronted Desmond around Christmas 1980. The victim did not report the abuse at the time but gave an official statement to Detective Garda Halpin in June 2024.

The jury deliberated for about one hour and forty minutes before returning unanimous guilty verdicts on all nine counts. Judge Eugene O’Kelly confirmed that Desmond could be identified by the press. He is due to be sentenced on Thursday, 29 October, at Waterford Circuit Court.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Zachary Caraway / Pexels.