Trial opens of Dromore priest accused of historic sex offences

A PRIEST has gone on trial for historic sexual abuse charges against five males who were all in their early teens.

Canon Patrick McEntee (70), from Esker Road, Dromore, requested a leave of absence in 2022 while a serious safeguarding investigation was carried out.

He denies sexual offences against five males who were pupils at St Michael’s College, Enniskillen where he taught.

There are four counts of indecently assaulting one complainant between 1988/89 and a single count of indecently assaulting another complainant between 1980/81.

In addition, there are a further four counts of indecent assault against three males – two counts against one and single counts against the other two, allegedly between 1978 and 1987.

Setting out an overview of the case to the jury at Dungannon Crown Court, prosecution counsel Sam Magee KC referred to a ‘pattern of sexualised behaviour’ towards the complaints, the youngest of whom, now aged in his fifties, was the first to come forward.

He described how McEntee called him into a room and chastised for his behaviour in class.

He then allegedly touched the boy, undid his belt, pulled his trousers down and sexually assaulted him.

McEntee sent him back to class with a warning not to get into trouble again.

About three weeks later McEntee took him into a study where a similar incident occurred.

On a third occasion McEntee grabbed him by the arm and said, “You’re coming with me.”

However this time the boy, who was around 13, pushed him away.

As this was an action against a member of staff the complainant waited to be called to the principal, but nothing happened.

A second complainant read an article in a newspaper about McEntee which provided a contact number for anyone with concerns.

He spoke with the Clogher Diocese Safeguarding Director, who alerted police.

This complainant recalled being sent to the college Dean for something minor who at that time was McEntee.

He described being alone in a room with McEntee when an alleged sexualised incident occurred.

Mr Magee said, “Why were these disciplinaries taking place in private rooms?

The third complainant told police he ‘wasn’t much of a student’ and often found himself in detention which was usually in the college library, but not when McEntee was on duty.

On one occasion he gave the boy money to wash his car, then took him to his private quarters.

Once there, McEntee put on classical music and had the boy sit on his knee.

He would also offer to take the boy various places which the prosecution suggested was to spend more time with him.

The fourth complainant said that, at about 12-years-old, his unwillingness to do his homework landed him in detention but an attempt to escape resulted in him being sent to McEntee.

He too described classical music playing, and McEntee sat him on his knee ‘for a chat’ then allegedly touched him over his shirt.

The final complainant alleged McEntee ‘had a habit of taking him to his private quarters’ when he was about 13 or 14.

“The defendant would have (the complainant) sit on his knee and ask if he’d been a good or bad boy then smack his bottom,” said Mr McGee.

“Why would he do that? This sort of thing would (allegedly) happen weekly. Was this pastoral care or sexual deviance?”

The boy said his behaviour changed because of what happened and he felt intimidated.

When arrested in March 2023, McEntee was shocked by the allegations.

He confirmed working as a teacher and recalled names of ‘the very good ones but mightn’t remember the very bad ones’ out of the hundreds of children he taught.

McEntee denied ever touching any children, branding some of what was put to him ‘outrageous’ and ‘fantasy’.

At the commencement of another interview McEntee’s solicitor read out a prepared statement denying all allegations and adding he ‘would not be answering any more police questions’.

The trial continues.