ENNISKILLEN (UNITED KINGDOM)
The Irish News [Belfast, Northern Ireland]
June 2, 2026
By Alan Erwin
Canon Patrick McEntee’s former lawyers were granted permission to come off record
A priest jailed for sexually abusing four boys is searching for a new legal team to mount a bid to clear his name.
Canon Patrick McEntee’s former lawyers were granted permission to come off record after the Court of Appeal heard their relationship had irretrievably broken down.
McEntee, 72, is attempting to overturn his conviction for historical sexual offences against ex-pupils at St Michael’s College in Enniskillen.
But an appeal hearing listed for later this month has been put on hold to give him more time to identify and instruct new legal representatives.
Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan indicated the case is now likely to be relisted in November.
McEntee, of Esker Road in Dromore, County Tyrone, is serving a seven-year sentence imposed by a judge who branded him a “predatory paedophile”.
In June last year he was convicted on eight counts of indecent assault following a trial at Dungannon Crown Court.
The abuse, which took place over a period between 1978 and 1989, involved boys aged between 11 and 17.
McEntee, who was a teacher at St Michael’s College, took the victims into his private quarters where they were either made to sit on his knee or touched inappropriately, the court heard.
Police involved in the investigation described him as a highly manipulative child predator who was able to offend in plain sight, using his position to prey on innocent young boys.
McEntee claimed they had told outrageous lies about him and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
A challenge to both the conviction and sentence were scheduled for a full hearing next week.
However, his former defence team informed the Court of Appeal they are no longer able to represent him.
Appearing remotely from prison, McEntee also confirmed that he does not want to retain their services.
Senior judges were told that his brother is handling efforts to find alternative legal representation.
Dame Siobhan confirmed: “We will allow (defence lawyers) to come off record.”
Giving McEntee until the end of June to identify new solicitors, she added: “We will review the appeal in September with a view to relisting it, probably in November.”