A previous principal of De La Salle National School in Waterford has actually been sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in jail for abusing a kid, with the last year suspended.
Con Desmond, 91, was condemned on 9 counts of indecent attack versus a kid in between September 1978 and December 1980. The abuse occurred in his workplace at the school, where he would beat the kid with a metre stick while masturbating.
The victim was required to stand bent over a bin with his pants and underclothing down while Desmond climaxed on his body and cleaned it away with tissue.
Desmond, whose previous address was Woodlands, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co Clare, was called Brother Cornelius throughout his period at St Stephen’s De La Salle National School.
At his sentencing at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court, gardaí exposed that Desmond had previous convictions for offenses of a comparable nature.
The victim provided an effect declaration in court on Thursday, October 29, explaining the long-lasting effect of the abuse.
The male, who wanted to stay confidential, stated he still felt discomfort when he kept in mind the abuse.
“I have actually been through a lot counselling in my life. I lost regard for all authority, which set me down courses in life with only darkness in the end,” he stated.
The victim utilized beverage and drugs to numb the mental discomfort of the abuse, however the memories stayed. Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, he believed often about the abuse he had actually experienced, explaining it as “like a dam breaking”.
He confided in a relied on buddy and previous schoolmate, who motivated him to report the abuse to An Garda Síochána. The pal informed the court he kept in mind seeing the victim with “huge red eyes” outside Desmond’s workplace.
Investigators tried to talk to Desmond at his home in Ennis, Co Clare, in July 2024, however he was referred to as “extremely aggressive”.
He was referred to as standing over one garda with his fists clenched and screaming about “getting weapons”. He emphatically rejected the abuse accusations and explained the victim as a “source of problem”.
Previous convictions for kid abuse
Investigator Garda Finbarr O’Sullivan informed the court that Desmond had actually been founded guilty of indecent attack versus a kid aged 12 to 13 in between 1984 and 1985. Desmond pleaded guilty and got a suspended three-year sentence.
In 2013, Desmond was condemned on 13 counts of indecent attack versus a kid aged in between 8 and 12, dedicated in between September 1977 and July 1982. He got a two-year jail sentence and was sent to prison in Cork Prison.
Det Garda O’Sullivan validated that the abuse happened within “the school setting”.
Desmond was ordained as a priest in 1989 and served in the Diocese of Killaloe, Co Clare. It was uncertain at the time of composing when he was eliminated from the ministry.
Judge points out breach of trust
Judge Eugene O’Kelly described the “outright” breach of trust dedicated by Desmond. He mentioned the sexual assault performed under “the guise of physical chastisement” as an irritating aspect.
The judge explained Desmond as “brazen” in his abuse, which he stated had actually continued throughout his “whole period” as principal.
As Judge O’Kelly provided his remarks, Desmond murmured “no, no, no” and “that’s not real” from the accused’s box.
Defence counsel Gareth Hayden described Desmond’s sophisticated age and frail health, stating he was a male “near to completion”.
Desmond got a heading sentence of 5 years, which was lowered by 9 months to 4 years and 3 months.
The last year of the sentence was suspended for 12 months.
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