Former canon Patrick McEntee, once a respected priest and teacher at St Michael’s College in Enniskillen, was sentenced to seven years in prison on September 12, 2025, following convictions for the historical sexual abuse of four boys. The sentencing, delivered at Dungannon Crown Court, marks a significant chapter in Northern Ireland’s ongoing confrontation with past child abuse within religious institutions.
McEntee, now 71 and formerly of Esker Road in Dromore, County Tyrone, was found guilty on eight counts of indecent assault. The offences, which spanned from the late 1970s through to the late 1980s, involved boys aged between 11 and 17. According to BBC reporting, the abuse occurred while McEntee was a religious studies teacher at St Michael’s College, a period during which he was entrusted with the care and education of young students.
The court heard harrowing details of how McEntee would take boys into his private quarters, where some were made to sit on his knee or were touched inappropriately. In some cases, he would give his victims sweets after the abuse—an act described by the prosecution as a manipulative gesture meant to normalize and conceal his predatory behavior. Judge Richard Greene KC, presiding over the sentencing, described McEntee as a “predatory paedophile” who maintained a “dark unseen” side, hidden behind his public persona as a caring Christian man.
Judge Greene emphasized McEntee’s lack of remorse, noting that the former priest continued to deny all offences and planned to appeal his convictions. “He has shown a complete lack of remorse,” Judge Greene stated, echoing sentiments shared by Judge Sherrard, who also commented on the courage it took for the victims to come forward after so many years. The impact of the abuse, the judge said, had left “an indelible mark” on the victims, deeply affecting their lives and education.
The case against McEntee included a conviction in June 2025 on four counts of indecent assault pertaining to a single victim between 1988 and 1989. Defense lawyers argued that McEntee was a man of good character with no prior convictions, but the court ultimately found the gravity and pattern of his actions overwhelming. Despite his age and reported health difficulties, the judge imposed a seven-year custodial sentence, with an additional term of license to be served upon release. McEntee was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register and is permanently banned from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Detective Constable Meehan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland commented after the sentencing, describing McEntee as a “child predator who used his position to take advantage of young boys who trusted him.” Meehan continued, “He is a highly manipulative individual who was able to offend in plain sight and preyed on the innocence of his victims.” The detective stressed the importance of exposing historical child abuse in Northern Ireland, stating, “Child abuse in Northern Ireland cannot continue and offending from the past needs brought to light.”
The revelations surrounding McEntee’s actions have sent shockwaves through the local community and the broader Catholic Church in Northern Ireland. Cases like his have contributed to an ongoing reckoning with the legacy of abuse by clergy, a subject that has haunted the Church for decades. The courage of survivors in coming forward—sometimes after years of silence and suffering—has been widely acknowledged by the judiciary and advocacy groups alike.
For the victims, the trauma inflicted by McEntee’s abuse has been profound and lasting. Judge Sherrard, according to BBC, noted that the boys’ lives and education were deeply affected, with the abuse leaving emotional scars that persist into adulthood. The process of bringing such cases to court is often fraught with difficulty, as survivors must relive painful memories and confront the social stigma that can accompany allegations against respected community figures.
McEntee’s family, for their part, have expressed shock and distress at the outcome of the trial. In a statement, they 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.” Their reaction highlights the complex and often divisive impact such cases can have on families and communities, where the accused may have spent years cultivating trust and respect.
Legal experts and child protection advocates have pointed to the McEntee case as emblematic of the need for vigilance and transparency in institutions responsible for the welfare of children. The fact that McEntee was able to offend “in plain sight,” as Det Con Meehan put it, underscores the importance of robust safeguarding measures and the need for adults to be alert to signs of abuse, even when the perpetrator is someone of apparent good standing.
Despite the conviction and sentencing, McEntee continues to deny all charges and intends to appeal. His defense team maintains that he has no prior criminal record and that he has been a man of good character throughout his life. The appeals process may yet bring further scrutiny to the case, but for now, the verdict stands as a testament to the persistence of the victims and the determination of law enforcement to pursue justice, however long delayed.
In the wake of the sentencing, advocates for survivors of abuse have reiterated calls for continued vigilance and support for those who come forward. The McEntee case, they argue, should serve as a reminder that the wounds of abuse do not heal easily, and that institutions must remain accountable to those they serve.
As McEntee begins his prison sentence, he will remain on the sex offenders register for life and is considered by authorities to pose a medium risk of reoffending. The court’s decision to bar him from working with children or vulnerable adults is intended to prevent any further abuse—an acknowledgment, perhaps, that the protection of children must always come first, even when it means confronting painful truths about those once held in high regard.
The story of Patrick McEntee’s conviction is, at its heart, a story about the courage of survivors and the imperative of justice. It is a reminder that, though the past cannot be erased, its shadows need not remain unchallenged.
