A former teacher who developed a drink problem after his mother's death has been jailed for five years by Mr Justice Carney at the Central Criminal Court for buggering a young Dublin boy.
David Conroy (44), single, from Mountmellick, Co Laois, was also given two concurrent four-year sentences for sexually assaulting two other Dublin boys.
The three boys involved were aged between nine and 13 years at the time of the assaults.
Conroy was given a five-year suspended sentence on July 1st, 1996 by Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy. He was also bound to the peace for two years.
Prosecution counsel Mr Paul Coffey said the Dublin offences happened over a six-month period in 1997 and began while Conroy was under the bond.
Det Garda Stephen Martin said the offences came to light after gardai observed Conroy with a young boy in his car on January 4th, 1998. Gardi were aware of the Cork conviction and contacted the boy's parents. The boy made a complaint of sexual abuse.
Det Garda Martin said Conroy was arrested on January 6th, 1998 and admitted sexually abusing the boy. He also admitted incidents with two other boys, including one act of buggery.
Mr Justice Carney heard character evidence on behalf of Conroy that he was an excellent teacher before he resigned as a result of the Cork conviction. Mr Gageby said Conroy accepted drink was not an excuse for what he did and he sincerely apologised to his victims and to his own family and friends.
Mr Justice Carney backdated sentence to January 6th, 1998.