A priest found guilty of historic sexual abuse charges against pupils hid a “dark and unseen side and was a predatory paedophile”, a judge has said.
Canon Patrick McEntee (71) from Esker Road, Dromore denied sexual offences against five boys at St Michael’s College over various dates between 1978 and 1989.
The trial lasted just over two weeks at Dungannon Crown Court which heard similarities in Canon McEntee taking victims to his private quarters.
The youngest described how Canon McEntee called him into a room and chastised over his behaviour in class, then touched the boy’s genitals, pulled his trousers down and sexually assaulted him.
Canon McEntee sent him off with a warning not to get into trouble again.
About three weeks later Canon McEntee took him into a study where a similar incident occurred.
On a third occasion McEntee grabbed him by the arm and said, “You’re coming with me”, but this time the victim pushed him away.
Another victim often found himself in detention which was usually in the college library, but when Canon McEntee was on duty he took him to his private quarters where he put on classical music and had the boy sit on his knee.
A third victim said his unwillingness to do homework resulted in him being sent to Canon McEntee who also described classical music playing.
Canon McEntee sat him on his knee “for a chat” then allegedly touched him under his shirt.
The final victim said Canon McEntee, “had a habit of taking him to his private quarters” when he was about 13 or 14.
He would have the boy sit on his knee and ask if he’d been a good or bad, then smack his bottom.
Canon McEntee denied the allegations, insisting “None of it happened. It’s downright lies … It’s not for me to speculate as to their motives.”
But the jury didn’t agree taking around four hours to unanimous convict on all but one charge.
Prosecution counsel Sam Magee KC said Canon McEntee abused boys in his care as a teacher and clergy.
“This was aggravated by his position of power and fears of reporting the abuse. There was grooming with treats and deliberate manipulation of children …There was the use of private quarters and reference in interviews of using his position as more reliable account than the victims … Having secured the silence of the victims, he secured promotion to principal.”
Mr Magee referred to a section of Canon McEntee’s pre-sentence report in which he claims there was “A conspiracy amongst his victims. This demonstrates no remorse on his part.”
Defence counsel Gary McHugh KC contended he was “hollowed” by what he could say given Canon McEntee’s stance and confirmed an appeal has been lodged against conviction.
Judge Richard Green said Canon McEntee: “Has public person by those not being abused by him, as a good and Christian man. In fact he had a dark and unseen side to him which he kept hidden from society. The truth is he was a predatory paedophile who facilitated opportunities for abuse by taking them to his private quarters where they were alone and deliberately isolated.”
He said the children should have been safe at school and their promising young lives protected.
Canon McEntee has, “Shown absolutely no remorse, denies his guilt and intends to appeal. I acknowledge the victims were caused further pain on listening to that in court on his instructions.”
Accepting Canon McEntee is vulnerable and advanced in years, Judge Sherrard nonetheless said: “These offences are so serious only custody is justified.”
He imposed a total sentence of seven years.
Canon McEntee will be subject to Sex Offender registration for life.
