Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9806Sexual assault · Co. Donegal

Former teacher pleads guilty to 132 offences against 19 boys

Patrick Sharkey, a former schoolteacher from Donegal, sexually abused 19 young boys over a 25-year period between 1970 and 1995, including at his parents' house in Clonmany, Co Donegal, and on trips to Dublin. He was arrested in Birmingham in 2022 on foot of warrants. He pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to 132 charges of indecent assault and sexual assault. Judge John Aylmer remanded him in custody, and he is due to be sentenced in June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Patrick Sharkey, a former schoolteacher from Donegal, is linked to offences against 19 young boys.
Where
Some offending took place at Sharkey's parents' house in Clonmany, Co Donegal, and some on trips to Dublin.
When
The offences spanned dates between 1970 and 1995.
Other details
Sharkey was a teacher at St Joseph's High School in Coleraine during the time of the offending.
Investigation
Sharkey was arrested in Birmingham in 2022 on foot of warrants.
Charges
Sharkey faced 132 charges of indecent assault and sexual assault relating to 19 victims.
In court
  • Sharkey pleaded guilty to the 132 charges at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
  • Articles give the report date of the guilty plea as 1 May 2026 and as 20 May 2026.
  • Judge John Aylmer remanded Sharkey in custody.
Sentence
Sharkey will be sentenced in June.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA former schoolteacher from Donegal sexually abused 19 young boys over a 25-year period. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereSome offending took place at Sharkey's parents' house in Clonmany, Co Donegal, and some on trips to Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences spanned dates between 1970 and 1995. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationSharkey was arrested in Birmingham in 2022 on foot of warrants. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtSharkey pleaded guilty to 132 charges of indecent assault and sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtSharkey was remanded in custody by Judge John Aylmer. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceSharkey will be sentenced in June. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe charges related to a total of 19 victims. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherSharkey was a teacher at St Joseph's High School in Coleraine during the time of the offending. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Former teacher to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to 132 offences against 19 boys

    First report of the guilty plea at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Adds the number of victims and charges, the 1970 to 1995 date range, the remand in custody, and the June sentencing date.

    accused, Patrick Sharkey, 83, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sharkey