A teacher has been found guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of indecently assaulting nine boys he taught at a Sligo primary school between 1966 and 1984.
Patrick Curran (59) had taught at St John's National School, Temple Street, Sligo, since July 1966 until he was asked to leave when the allegations came to light in 1999.
Judge Michael White remanded him in custody for sentence on July 22nd and ordered the compilation of victim impact statements.
While Curran remained impassive as the verdict was read out, some of the victims who were in court broke down in tears.
Curran denied an initial 237 counts of the indecent assault of 10 boys between September 1966 and June 1984.
Judge White directed the jury, on day eight of the trial, to find him not guilty of 37 of the charges as the complainant in respect of those counts did not give evidence. A direction of not guilty was also given as a result of submissions in respect of a further seven counts on the indictment.
The jury heard from nine men who were indecently assaulted by Curran during their time in his class.
The men said Curran would place his hand on a knee and move it up towards the genital area, both over and under clothing. He would squeeze and rub the boys' genitals.
The jury heard those incidents took place on a regular basis during school terms, and were unwanted and caused distress and confusion.
Curran earlier told his counsel, Gráinne McMorrow SC, he categorically denied the allegations against him and called them preposterous and ridiculous.
He denied suggestions that he systematically targeted vulnerable boys and also denied he had not believed that a remedial pupil would have the courage to come forward.
Curran said he was a "gay person" with a sexual preference for people aged over 65. He said he would not be interested in anyone younger and said "the sexuality of children means nothing to me".