DAVID BARRY'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN CORK: EX-SCOUT LEADER SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Cork community, David Barry, a 72-year-old former scout leader from Montrose, Firgrove Gardens in Bishopstown, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offences committed over a span of more than two decades.

Barry pleaded guilty to a total of 29 counts of sexual and indecent assault during a court hearing last April, acknowledging his guilt in front of Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The offences, which took place between 1986 and 2008, involved ten young boys who were victims of his abuse.

All of the assaults occurred at Barry's residence, where the victims had been invited to stay overnight on various occasions. These incidents followed scout hikes and training exercises, during which Barry exploited his position of trust as a scout leader and former scout commissioner for Cork. The abuse was carried out in the privacy of his home, adding a layer of betrayal to the victims' suffering.

The case first came to light in 2018 when the initial victim came forward to report the abuse, leading to Barry's arrest. He was subsequently detained again in December of the previous year and formally charged with multiple counts of sexual misconduct.

Today, Judge Sean Ó Donnabháin handed down a sentence of seven years, with the last two years suspended, reflecting the gravity of the offences and the impact on the victims. The court's decision underscores the serious nature of the crimes committed by Barry and highlights the ongoing efforts to address abuse within community organizations in Cork.