Sentencing adjourned of former Donegal teacher on over 130 sex charges

Sentencing of a former Donegal school teacher facing 132 historical sex charges has been adjourned.

The man, who is in his 80s, was due to be sentenced this week at Letterkenny Circuit Court. 

However, the court was told that “a number of issues have arisen” after the defence team was furnished with a series of victim impact statements.

The man, who cannot be named at this juncture, is charged with offences of sexual assault and indecent assault related to incidents in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in County Donegal.

All of the incidents took place in County Donegal and there are 19 victims in the case. 

The man recently appeared at the Circuit Court to affirm guilty pleas which were previously indicated at Letterkenny District Court.

Barrister Maddie Grant BL told Judge John Aylmer that material, including a significant number of interviews, was finished last week in preparation for a sentencing hearing.

“We received the materials on Thursday and a number of issues have arisen,” Ms Grant said. “A consultation will be required with the Probation Service before we can move to the next phase.”

Prosecuting barrister Ms Fiona Crawford BL said the State was adopting a “neutral position” in terms of an application to have the matter adjourned.

Judge John Aylmer said the man’s legal team was entitled to time to get proper instructions and the case was adjourned to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

A publication order, meaning that the accused man cannot be named to protect the anonymity of the victims, continues to be in place.