Canon Patrick McEntee, a 71-year-old priest and former teacher, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Dungannon Crown Court after being convicted of eight counts of historical indecent assault against four boys.
Judge Sherrard told the court McEntee was a "predatory paedophile" who abused children in his care. The offences, which dated from the late 1970s through to the late 1980s, involved boys aged between 11 and 17 and were said to have taken place in the priest's private quarters while he was teaching at St Michael's College in Enniskillen.
Prosecutors said McEntee took pupils into his private quarters and made some of them sit on his knee or touched them inappropriately. Some victims were given sweets by McEntee after the assaults, the court heard. In June, McEntee was convicted on four counts of indecent assault relating to a single victim between 1988 and 1989; the current sentence follows convictions on a total of eight counts involving four boys.
Sentencing, Judge Sherrard said the priest had shown a complete lack of remorse and that it had taken courage for the victims to come forward. The judge said the abuse had left an indelible mark on the victims and had deeply affected their lives and education. McEntee was described in court as presenting a medium risk of reoffending and was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Defence lawyers told the court McEntee was a man of good character with no previous convictions. McEntee continues to deny the offences and intends to appeal against his convictions, his legal team told the court.
In a statement issued after sentencing, McEntee's family said they were "hugely disturbed at his conviction in this case" and added: "We are unwavering in our belief in his innocence and we are unconditionally supportive of him as he continues to deal with the adverse consequences of his recent trial."
The case was heard at Dungannon Crown Court in County Tyrone. The convictions form part of a series of historical abuse prosecutions in recent decades in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, where former clergy and teachers have been tried for offences dating back several decades.
Judge Sherrard's remarks highlighted the court's view of the long-term harm caused by historical sexual abuse of children in trusted positions. The sentence and lifetime registration follow the court's assessment of the severity of the offending and the impact on the victims, who were described as having shown considerable bravery in bringing the allegations to light.