Former Christian brother faces trial for past sex offences against young schoolboys – The Irish News

A former Christian brother is on trial, accused of sexual crimes against young schoolboys in the past.

Paul Dunleavy (88) from Glen Road in west Belfast is on trial on 32 charges.

The offences are alleged to have been committed against nine male complainants between 1964 and 1991 while Dunleavy was working as a teacher or headteacher at four schools in Belfast, Newry, Co Down and Co Armagh.

Opening the prosecution at Belfast Crown Court on Monday, Neil Connor KC said Dunleavy taught as a member of the Christian Brothers order from 1955 until his retirement in 1998.

He told the jury that Dunleavy was a teacher at Armagh Christian Brothers PS between 1960 and 1966.

He later moved to Abbey Christian Brothers PS in Newry from 1966 to 1973 before returning to the school as headmaster in 1987 until his retirement in 1998.

Dunleavy also taught at St. Aiden's Christian Brothers PS in west Belfast from 1973 to 1977 and later became its headmaster.

From 1985 to 1987 he was also headmaster of Gortnamona Secondary School in west Belfast.

“You will also hear from the jury that the defendant is also a convicted child sex abuser. You will hear that he was convicted in two separate cases for a number of sex offences against children in his care at several schools where he taught,” Mr Connor said.

“You will also hear from a number of people who have complained about his conduct in this case.

“They were prompted to come forward and complain about the defendant because they said they had been mistreated by him after reading press reports or hearing news on television about the previous trial and seeing him on television.”

He told the jury that one of the plaintiffs was at Armagh Christian Brothers PS around 1965/66 when he was over 11 years old.

Mr Connor told the jury that Dunleavy had been questioned by police about the allegations and had responded to all questions with either “no comment” or “that didn't happen”.

The senior prosecutor added: “We are of the view that, having heard all the evidence in this case, you will be satisfied and can therefore be confident and firmly convinced that the defendant is guilty of each and every one of the charges set out in the indictment.”

At the hearing.