A former priest has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a secondary school student in the 1980s while working as a choirmaster and music teacher.

Henry Moloney, 77, with an address at Kimmage Manor in Dublin was found guilty at Clonmel Circuit Court last night of seven counts of indecent assault, all of which took place within one school year in the 1980s at Rockwell College outside Cashel.

He will be sentenced on 15 December, following the preparation of a victim impact report, and has been remanded on bail.

An eighth charge, that he indecently assaulted the boy in an area near the boy's home during a St Stephen's Day visit during that year, was withdrawn from the jury by Judge Thomas Teehan.

The former priest had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The victim told court last week that the abuse started within a week or two of the beginning of a school year in the 1980s at Rockwell College after Moloney asked him to join the choir.

Moloney was the choirmaster and played the organ in the school's chapel and the first incident was in the organ gallery, the victim told the court.

The victim said he knew it was wrong then but thought he could not tell anyone because no-one would believe him over a priest.

Moloney asked him at a later date to go to his room in the college and abused him there also.

There was no outward show of emotion from Moloney as the seven guilty verdicts were read out in court, after the jury deliberated for just over two hours.

He sat impassively in the courtroom while, some rows behind, the victim and his wife wept and hugged.