Former teacher to be sentenced next month for sexual offences - Donegal News

Child sex predator to be sentenced next month

A CHILD sex abuser who admitted to 132 sexual offences involving indecent and sexual assaults of 19 boys between 1970 and 1995, had his sentencing adjourned until a sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing on June 9.

Patrick Sharkey (83) was remanded in custody at court on Wednesday.

Originally from Clonmany, with an address in College Green, Belfast, the former Coleraine teacher sat emotionless in court, whilst harrowing victim impact statements were read out. Sharkey listened on with his hearing device, with his packed suitcase beside him.

Sharkey had taken victims to his parents’ house in Clonmany over a prolonged number of years, for afterschool activities. It was there that the prolific series of indecent and sexual assaults took place, in addition to other addresses in the state.

One victim referred to Sharkey as a “horrible monster, a teacher who used his power and control to groom his victims,” more than 35 years ago.

The victim added “At times I felt like giving up. I’m glad that I could carry on.”

He said that it was “the most fearful and horrible experience in his life, and that yesterday in the car he had sat sobbing and balling” his eyes out.

“A monster in my dreams, attacking me – the triggers are constant.”

He said he got flashbacks and was “pouring out with emotion due to the pain this man has caused.”

He went on to describe how Sharkey had affected so many parts of his life, and that he had developed a gambling addiction.

“The pain will never leave me, hopefully sentencing will help,” he said.

The victim added that “Other victims are finally getting justice for what this evil monster has done to me.”

Another victim said that he should have been focussed on his education but was “sexually exploited, broken, confused and abandoned” by what happened and that the issues had not been “believed by higher authority.”

He added that the “school (pupils) teased him and he had left as quickly as he could,” which led him into a downward spiral he said.

“I had trouble with the police, I was robbed of my education.

“Emotionally and psychologically I’ve carried this my whole life.

“I doubted myself in all relationships with feelings of anxiety, depression and feelings of shame,” he said.

He added that at “every milestone I cried, every door that closed can all be traced back to this.

“I often wonder who I could have been if this hadn’t happened.”

A third victim said: “I wished I had the strength to speak out on time.

He said that he hoped others would have the courage to come forward and that he was lucky to have a family for support.

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