THE head of a religious order apologised to the four victims of a brother who abused them while they were in residence in an institution in Cork, during a court hearing yesterday.
The 82 year old retired brother pleaded guilty to four charges of indecently assaulting four young boys over a 20 year period mom 1959 to 1979.
Judge Patrick Moran, in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court, ordered the press not to publish anything that would identify the victims, the brother, the order or the institution.
A Garda sergeant said the matter came to light in November 1995, when a complaint was made by one of the victims who came to the Garda station in a very distressed condition.
The abuse started when this man, who was admitted to the institution when he was nine years old, was there for three months. The other three victims were aged between eight and 13 years.
Mr Sean O Donobhain, defending, said the brother had met his guilt head on, and when confronted readily admitted his crimes. He was apologising on his behalf to his victims and their families.
He had left the institution before the matter came to the attention of the gardai and had retired. He was living in a nursing home.
The Provincial of the order apologised in court to the victims and their families.
The head of the order said the brother was sent to England where he attended a seven months residential psycho sexual counselling course and where he admitted his faults.
Judge Moran said the brother was in a position of trust where the children were concerned. It was a very serious matter and he needed time to consider it. He adjourned sentencing until tomorrow morning.