A teacher accused of the indecent assault of primary school boys in Sligo over an 18 year period has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Patrick Curran (59), a teacher at St John’s National School, Temple Street, Sligo since July 1966, has pleaded not guilty to 237 counts of indecently assaulting 10 different boys between September 1966 and June 1984.
Mr Enna Mulloy SC, prosecuting, told the jury that 10 former pupils of St John’s who were now men in their 30s and 40s would say that between the ages of eight and 12 they were subjected to touching and rubbing which the prosecution would say was indecent.
Mr Mulloy said the accused, despite being a tall man, would ease himself into the school desks beside the boys. He would allegedly do this under cover of correcting homework or while another pupil was at the black board.
The jury would hear that Mr Curran would place his hand on a knee and move it up towards the genital area, both over and under clothing.
Mr Mulloy told the jury it would hear that these incidents took place on a regular basis during school terms and were unwanted and caused distress and confusion.
The trial continues before Judge Michael White and a jury of 10 men and two women.