Ireland Case No. 9017Sexual assault and indecent assault · Co. Donegal
Former teacher jailed for historic sexual offences at Letterkenny court
Patrick Sharkey, 83, a former teacher at St Joseph's High School in Coleraine, Co Derry, is alleged to have sexually abused young boys, including victims taken to Clonmany, Co Donegal, between 1970 and 1995. He admitted 16 counts of sexual assault and 115 counts of indecent assault on signed pleas, and had already served a two-year sentence in Northern Ireland. On 18 June 2026, Donegal Circuit Court at Letterkenny sentenced him to seven years in prison with the final six months suspended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced18 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Patrick Sharkey, 83, was a teacher at St Joseph's High School in Coleraine, Co Derry.
- The offences were committed against 19 young boys, according to the sources.
- Where
- Some victims were taken to Clonmany, Co Donegal, to Sharkey's parents' house; one source says regularly and another says some victims.
- When
- The offences took place over a 25-year period between 1970 and 1995.
- Charges
- Sharkey admitted on signed pleas to 16 counts of sexual assault and 115 counts of indecent assault.
- Reports give the total as 131 counts in one tally and 132 offences in another.
- Investigation
- Sharkey cooperated with the Garda investigation by travelling into the Republic by arrangement.
- Other details
- Sharkey had already served a two-year sentence in Northern Ireland.
- Judge Aylmer described the crimes as calculated, premeditated and predatory in nature.
- The court noted that Sharkey is 83 and in a relatively poor state of health.
- In court
- The sentencing hearing took place at Donegal Circuit Court at Letterkenny Courthouse, before Judge John Aylmer.
- Sentence
- The judge announced a headline sentence of 14 years imprisonment.
- On 18 June 2026, Sharkey was sentenced to seven years in prison with the final six months suspended.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereSharkey was a teacher at St Joseph's High School in Coleraine, Co Derry. (donegallive.ie)
- whereSharkey regularly took victims to his parents' house in Clonmany. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred over a 25-year period between 1970 and 1995. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeSharkey admitted on signed pleas to 16 counts of sexual assault and 115 counts of indecent assault. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place at Donegal Circuit Court at Letterkenny Courthouse. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceSharkey was sentenced to seven years in prison with the final six months suspended. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge announced a headline sentence of 14 years imprisonment. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge described the crimes as calculated, premeditated and predatory in nature. (donegallive.ie)
- otherSharkey had already served a two-year sentence in Northern Ireland. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe court noted Sharkey is 83 and in a relatively poor state of health. (donegallive.ie)
- otherSharkey cooperated with the Garda investigation by travelling into the Republic by arrangement. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Jun2026Former teacher jailed for 132 historic sexual offences
Reports the sentencing of Patrick Sharkey at Donegal Circuit Court. No matching existing case. Offences took place while he taught at St Joseph's High School in Coleraine, Co Derry, and some victims were taken to Clonmany, Co Donegal.
convicted, Patrick Sharkey, 83, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sharkeyvictim, male