Former school principal on 90 sex abuse charges granted €30,000 bail

A retired Dublin school principal accused of “systematic” sexual abuse of 20 former pupils has been granted €30,000 bail.

Last month, Patrick Harte (80) was remanded in custody by Dublin District Court after gardaí charged him with 83 indecent assaults, one attempted indecent assault and six sexual assaults from 1967 to 1995.

The alleged offences involved 20 pupils at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street, Dublin.

The former teacher, who later became a principal, worked at the school from 1967 until 2008. Sligo-born Mr Harte, with an address at Glendown Park, Templeogue, denies the allegations.

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On Wednesday, Judge Alan Mitchell granted bail over Garda objections at the district court. However, he imposed strict terms, including the requirement for an independent surety, cash lodgements and the surrender of Mr Harte’s passport.

Detective Garda Colleen Gallagher had objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and “flight-risk” concerns. The detective told the court that gardai spoke to 219 ex-pupils during the investigation, 72 witnesses made statements that the alleged abuse was regular and “in the presence of the entire class”.

The detective feared Mr Harte would not remain at his address but “relocate” if the court let him out on bail. She said, if the court granted bail, she expected conditions and a cash lodgement larger than €2,500, which the defence had proposed.

Judge Mitchell held that flight risk evidence had to be more substantial, “like having sold a property and seeking a place abroad”. He granted the pensioner bail in his bond of €15,000 and required an independent surety to lodge another €15,000. Mr Harte has yet to take up the bail.

Once the financial terms have been met, he must reside at his home in Dublin, notify of any address change, and sign on three days a week at the local Garda station. He must have no contact with complainants or witnesses, not leave the State, surrender his passport, not apply for alternative travel documentation, and remain contactable by mobile phone. He must give his number to the detective before release.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear again on June 24th.

Mr Harte, who told his barrister he gets a €35,000 pension a year, has been granted legal aid.