A former school principal has been jailed for three years for abusing seven of his pupils over a two-year period from September 1968.
Patrick Harte, of Glendown Park, Templeogue, Dublin, abused them at his desk while teaching at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street in Dublin.
The boys were aged eight or nine when he abused them.
Patrick Harte had tried on Monday to get his sentencing adjourned due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as his own medical condition, but was unsuccessful.
Harte’s lawyers had told Judge Martin Nolan that he was abiding by rules relating to people over 70 by not attending crowded places and should not be compelled to attend court.
Judge Nolan, however, refused the application to delay the sentencing and scheduled it for 4pm on Tuesday when the court was to be relatively empty.
Patrick Gageby, SC, the defending counsel, told Judge Nolan that Harte had been admitted to Tallaght Hospital with various symptoms including cardiac issues.
Judge Nolan expressed concern and suspicion about Harte’s behaviour, and insisted that the case be dealt with this term, and rescheduled the hearing for Thursday.
Back in March, Harte was convicted of 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven primary school boys at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street between September 1968 and September 1970.
