GAA CLUB PERVERT GETS 16YR JAIL TERM

Former treasurer caged over 162 sex abuse offences against boys

- GRAINNE NI AODHA and REBECCA BLACK

A FORMER GAA club official has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for what a judge called “a campaign of sexual offending” carried out against boys for almost 30 years. 

Thomas McKenna, 62, formerly of Woodside Park, Bessbrook, Co Armagh, pleaded guilty to 162 sexual abuse offences that took place between 1989 and 2018, affecting 23 victims.

McKenna had been a club treasurer at Crossmaglen Rangers GAA in Co Armagh, as well as a postman and a director of the local credit union.

At Belfast Laganside Courthouse yesterday, Judge Patricia Smyth said he had used his position in the community to “groom and manipulate” his victims, some of whom were vulnerable.

She said the psychological harm McKenna inflicted on his victims was “immeasurable”.

Judge Smyth added: “There is no sentence that this court can pass that will repair that damage.”