A 91-year-old former national school principal who abused a young pupil in his office more than four decades ago has been jailed, after a judge described his behaviour as “brazen” and said it continued for his entire time in charge of the school.
Con Desmond, formerly of Woodlands, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co Clare, was sentenced at Waterford Circuit Court by Judge Eugene O’Kelly, RTÉ News and the Irish Times reported. He had been found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault against a child between September 1978 and December 1980.
At the time, he was known as Brother Cornelius and was principal of St Stephen’s De La Salle National School in Waterford. He was later ordained a priest in 1989 and served in the Diocese of Killaloe, according to both reports.
‘Egregious’ breach of trust
The court heard that the abuse took place in the principal’s office at the school, and that it was carried out under the pretext of physical punishment. Judge O’Kelly called the breach of trust egregious and treated that disguise of discipline as an aggravating factor.
Desmond was not a first offender. A detective garda told the court he had two previous convictions for similar crimes: a suspended three-year sentence in the mid-1980s for indecently assaulting a child, and a two-year jail term in 2013 for 13 counts of indecent assault against a child between 1977 and 1982, which he served in Cork Prison.
The Irish Times reported that when detectives went to his home in July 2024 he was highly aggressive towards them and denied the allegations. As the judge spoke during sentencing, Desmond was heard to mutter denials from the dock.
‘Like a dam breaking’
The victim, who chose to keep his anonymity, described in a statement how the abuse had followed him through his life. He said he still feels pain when he remembers what happened, that he lost respect for all authority, and that he turned to drink and drugs to dull the psychological pain. He has had extensive counselling.
He told the court that during the Covid-19 lockdown the memories came flooding back, describing it as being “like a dam breaking”. It was a former schoolmate and trusted friend who encouraged him to go to gardaí.
Age no shield
Defence counsel Gareth Hayden asked the court to take account of Desmond’s advanced age and frail health, describing him as a man close to the end of his life.
Judge O’Kelly set a headline sentence of five years. He reduced it by nine months to four years and three months, and suspended the final 12 months. The outcome means a man in his 90s will spend time in prison for crimes committed against a child in a classroom setting almost half a century ago.
The case is the latest in a long line of historical abuse prosecutions involving religious orders and schools in Ireland, many of which only reached court because survivors came forward decades later. Gardaí have repeatedly said that it is never too late to report abuse, no matter how long ago it took place.
What happens next
Desmond will serve his sentence in custody, with the last year suspended on conditions set by the court. Like any convicted person, he can seek to appeal his conviction or sentence to the Court of Appeal within the time limits allowed.
If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s 24-hour National Helpline is available on 1800 77 8888, and One in Four supports adults who experienced sexual abuse in childhood. Anyone who wishes to report abuse can contact their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Sources
- RTÉ News: Former principal, 91, jailed over ‘brazen’ abuse of pupil (29 October 2026)
- The Irish Times: Former school principal (91) jailed for child sexual abuse (29 October 2026)
Featured image: Waterford Courthouse by Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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