A former Church of Ireland lay worker has been jailed for 13 years for abusing 14 young boys between 1974 and 2014.
77-year-old Patrick O’Brien of Knocklyon Road, Templeogue in Dublin pleaded guilty to over 50 charges of indecent and sexual assault.
He admitted abusing the boys at St Patrick's cathedral in Dublin, his workplace, his car, his boat and even in their family homes.
Afterwards, Detective Superintendent Declan Daly from the Garda National Protection Services Bureau praised the victims for coming forward.
"I hope their bravery will send a message to all other victims who may come forward in historical cases and report their complaints to An Garda Síochana," he added.
In a statement, the Church of Ireland said: ‘St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and the wider Church of Ireland community have been deeply dismayed at the nature and extent of the offences which have been brought to light in the case involving Patrick O’Brien, who was sentenced today.
"The Church commends the courage of Patrick O’Brien’s victims in coming forward," it adds.
