A victim of prolific paedophile Paul Dunleavy has said he is “delighted” after the Christian Brother died while serving a prison sentence and hopes he is buried in an “unmarked grave”.
Dunleavy (89) was sentenced to ten years behind bars last November after being convicted of 36 charges of historical sexual abuse against nine boys.
The 89-year-old died in hospital on Tuesday, the Prison Service has confirmed.
The offences took place between 1964 and 1991 while Dunleavy worked at four schools in Belfast, Newry and Armagh, with the victims aged between seven and 14 at the time.
Dunleavy had already been behind bars after he was previously convicted on two separate occasions of sexual offences against children.
Over three trials the predator, who retired in 1997, was convicted of 72 offences involving 18 victims in total.
Offences included indecent assault, attempted buggery and gross indecency with or towards a child.
Concerns were raised last year after The Congregation of Christian Brothers confirmed that despite the convictions Dunleavy remained a member of the order.
It is understood the convicted sex offender died in hospital after being taken from Maghaberry Prison.
A spokesman for the Prison Service said: “The Northern Ireland Prison Service can confirm the death of an 89-year-old male prisoner from Maghaberry at an outside hospital.
“As with standard procedure, the PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed.”
One of Dunleavy’s victims, who was abused as a schoolboy, aged between 10 and 11, more than 50 years ago, has welcomed his death.
The victim, who does not want to be named, was singled out by Dunleavy when he attended Abbey Christian Brothers PS in Newry in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Now aged in his 60s, the man said Dunleavy was due to appeal his conviction in October and that he had recently been contacted by police to attend.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey from the time he got sentenced until now,” the man said.
“I am delighted to hear he is dead.”
The man said when he was initially shocked to hear his abuser had died adding that he had been worried “about going back to court”.
“Worrying about the fact that he might get his sentence overturned and that (he) might get out because I was hoping he would die in prison.
“I got my wish eventually.”
The victim said he was glad because “I got my time in court and that he got a conviction for what he did to me”.
“I am delighted with that and that it’s not going to be overturned now,” he added.
“I couldn’t be happier, I just hope it’s an unmarked grave and they can never find him.”
Solicitor Owen Beattie
Solicitor Owen Beattie, of Owen Beattie Solicitors, who represents several victims, said “the shadow of Paul Dunleavy covers a history of systemic abuse perpetrated on an industrial scale across the country”.
“The questionable conduct of the Christian Brothers throughout this period is still under intensive investigation which will be factored into ongoing litigation before the High Court,” he added.
Kevin Winters, of KRW Law, who represents several victims said “many victims are frustrated that Dunleavy never lived to see out his sentences”.
“Many clients I’ve spoken with are annoyed that he prolonged their distress in fighting cases he really should have pleaded guilty to.”