Old school friends wept and embraced in court today after a jury found their former school principal, Patrick Barry (80) guilty of indecent assaults against them over a 21 year period.
At Ennis Circuit Court, a jury unanimously found Mr Barry of Well Rd, Kilkee guilty on 59 counts on indecent assault between 1964 and 1985 at the two-teacher Moyasta school in west Clare.
The emotional scenes followed Judge Gerald Keyes record that the jury found Mr Barry guilty on 59 counts – Judge Keyes had earlier directed the jury to find Mr Barry not guilty on eight additional counts for legal reasons.
Counsel for the state, Anthony Sammon SC said that it was the express wish of the complainants that Mr Barry be named – up until now, he has enjoyed anonymity throughout the legal process.
Four of the victims in the case are sisters that attended the school where Mr Barry taught 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.
During the two and a half week trial, the 11 victims outlined in evidence how Mr Barry indecently assaulted them in the classroom.
Mr Barry served as school principal between 1964 and 1989.
Judge Keyes remanded Mr Barry on continuing bail to re-appear before court in October to fix a date for sentence.
None of the victims approached for comment outside court wished to make any comment.
