Former Donegal schoolteacher appears in court on 110 sex abuse charges

Stephen Maguire

A former Co Donegal schoolteacher has appeared in court on 110 sex abuse charges.

Patrick Sharkey, aged 81, appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

The accused is originally from the Inishowen Peninsula but now lives in France.

He was brought to court by Detectives Bernard Mullins, Jonathon Gallagher and Joe English from the Buncrana Detective Unit.

Sharkey is charged with a number of offences from sexual to indecent assault against at least a dozen young boys on various occasions in the 1970s and 1980s.

All of the alleged incidents took place in North Donegal.

Detective Garda Gallagher gave evidence of arresting the accused at Letterkenny Courthouse by arrangement.

The accused man's solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said that bail had been agreed and that gardaí were satisfied with the conditions.

He said that his client was going forward "on a signed plea."

Mr Gallagher asked for the case to be adjourned until January 27th, 2025, to seek directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Ciaran Liddy agreed and the case was adjourned.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.