Hi °C | Lo °C Jurors and victims openly wept as a former Christian brother was convicted by majority verdict of seven out of 10 allegations of child sexual abuse at a leading school.
In Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Edward Bryan (58) faced 10 sexual assault charges relating to allegations made by four men who were young boys in the 1980s.
His victims sat at the back of the court embracing each other and weeping as the verdicts were returned.
The verdicts came after a week-long trial and more than 12 hours of deliberation by the jury.
Bryan was found guilty on seven counts with the charges relating to three of the victims.
The jury could not reach a verdict on three remaining counts, all of which related to a fourth complainant.
During the trial, the jury was told that this alleged male victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was serving a jail sentence.
Emotional
The allegations, investigated by Garda Eimear Brennan, related to offences in the 1980s at locations in North Monastery CBS, where Bryan was a teacher.
The four complainants, now adults who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave emotional evidence about their experiences.
During the trial, the jury heard the incidents took place while Bryan, from Athboy Road, Trim, Co Meath, was coaching them in basketball.
The offences took place in the brother's office and in the gym area. They involved touching of the genital area and masturbation.
At one point he told the boys: "It is a good way to work up a sweat."
On Wednesday, the jury returned after nine hours of deliberation with a guilty verdict on one count.
This charge dealt with offences committed against a boy in 1987.
The jury of 11 returned yesterday after 12 hours deliberation with guilty verdicts on six more counts.
Each was a majority verdict, meaning 10 of the 11 jurors agreed.
Prosecutor Dermot Sheehan said he would contact the DPP about a retrial on the outstanding counts.
After the case, one of the victims said: "It is an utter vindication and I would do it all again if I had the opportunity."
Judge Sean O Donnabhain adjourned sentencing to March 1 to allow for preparation of victim impact statements.
Irish Independent
