A former schoolteacher who indecently and sexually assaulted 19 victims over 25 years has been jailed for six and a half years at Donegal Circuit Criminal Court.
Patrick Sharkey, aged 83, pleaded guilty to 132 sex offences ranging from indecent to sexual assault against 19 victims, aged between seven and 16 years from 1970 until 1995.
Sharkey, a former teacher in Coleraine, Co Derry, took many victims on trips to Donegal and Dublin for water sport activities, where he assaulted them.
A former organiser of an after-school club, Sharkey assaulted victims, with some incidents "of a very invasive nature" while they rested, slept and travelled, the court heard.
Judge John Alymer described the offences as premediated and predatory, involving a significant amount of grooming of the victims and a gross breach of trust.
He said Sharkey took advantage of the victims' modest social circumstances, who were delighted with the opportunity of a holiday in Donegal.
"Most feel their lives have been completely blighted by your offending," Judge Alymer told Sharkey.
The court broadly took the view that the offending was in the upper end of the scale due to the number of complainants and offences as well as the extent of the offences.
The court acknowledged a two-year sentence has been imposed on Sharkey in Northern Ireland involving three of the victims, where Sharkey served one year in custody and the second year on licence.
Judge Alymer sentenced Sharkey to seven years in prison with the final six months suspended.
No 'genuine remorse'
Following sentencing, survivor Michael Bacon said the sentencing marks the end of a long and difficult chapter for both him and the other victims of Patrick Sharkey.
"As victims, we are relieved that the criminal proceedings are finally drawing to a close after many years.
"We welcome the outcome of this case and the fact that he has finally admitted responsibility for his actions. While he has pleaded guilty, nothing I have seen in court has suggested any genuine remorse.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Garda detectives who worked tirelessly on this investigation. Their commitment, professionalism and determination have been instrumental in bringing this case to justice.
"Today is also a time of reflection and sadness. Some victims are no longer here to witness this outcome, and for some, the abuse they suffered played a direct role in that reality. I hope their families can take some comfort in knowing that, while justice has been delayed, it has finally been achieved."
No genuine remorse from Sharkey, says survivor Michael Bacon
Mr Bacon said significant questions remain unanswered adding that it was deeply troubling that a serial abuser was able to offend for decades without effective intervention.
"We are aware, along with other victims, that allegations were raised as far back as the 1980s but were not acted upon. Had those concerns been properly addressed at the time, many people may have been spared the suffering they later endured.
"We do not see today as the end of this journey. Rather, we see it as the beginning of a wider process of accountability and acknowledgement by those who were entrusted with safeguarding and protecting children," Michael Bacon said.
In mitigation, Judge Alymer acknowledged that Sharkey came before the court on signed pleas of guilty, that he co-operated with the investigation, meeting Gardaí by arrangement, making some admissions, albeit limited and not coming to adverse attention since his last offence 28 years ago.
He said a risk assessment placed Sharkey at a moderate risk of reoffending, stating that age and health can be seen as mitigating against that.
He added that the court had to take cognisance of the fact that Sharkey was 83 years of age and suffers health problems.
Judge Alymer began with a headline sentence of 14 years before taking mitigating circumstances into account.
'A horrible monster'
During the sentencing heard, the court heard some of Sharkey's victims could not live with the abuse they suffered while others attempted suicide.
State prosecutor Fiona Crawford, BL, outlined the details of the alleged abuse against boys, aged from seven upwards at locations in Donegal and Dublin.
One victim said they were working class kids invited on "a big adventure" days before package holidays.
When they returned "they were victims of a paedophile", he said.
The court heard victims suffered trauma, anxiety and depression as well alcohol, drugs, substance and gambling addictions in their adult lives as they struggled to cope.
One victim described Sharkey as a "horrible monster" who has left him "scarred and mentally tortured".
"I attempted to commit suicide… I was a 12-year-old boy when this happened to me. This pain and fear will never leave me until I take my last breath," he said.
'Safety feels like a fantasy'
Another victim, who had "top grades" and planned to attend university, left school ear…
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