BERNARD MCNAMEE SHOCKS CO TYRONE NEAR PRIMARY SCHOOL AFTER CONVICTION FOR CHILD ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Co Tyrone, Bernard McNamee, a man with a history of religious service, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving a young boy. The conviction was handed down last month at Dungannon Crown Court, where a jury found McNamee guilty of three counts of indecently assaulting the child, a verdict that has brought to light the disturbing details of his actions during the early 1990s.

McNamee, aged 62, hails from Fyfin Road, Victoria Bridge, Co Tyrone. The court proceedings revealed that he had groomed his young victim over a period of time, using gifts such as comics, sweets, and chocolates to gain the child's trust. These grooming tactics culminated in multiple instances of sexual assault, which occurred during the 1990s. The jury's verdict followed a detailed trial where the victim recounted the abuse, describing how McNamee, who was also a Eucharistic Minister at St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Sion Mills, befriended his family and gained access to the child.

One of the most shocking aspects of this case is the proximity of McNamee’s residence to a local primary school. His home is located just ten meters away from St Eugene’s, an award-winning Catholic primary school, raising concerns about the safety of children in the area. The community has expressed alarm over the fact that someone convicted of such serious offenses lives so close to a school attended by young children.

Following his conviction, McNamee was released on bail until his sentencing scheduled for September. He was seen at his residence, where a journalist confronted him. During the encounter, McNamee showed no remorse for his actions. Instead, he appeared to feel sorry for himself, displaying a dismissive attitude towards the gravity of his crimes. He was dressed in a red fleeced top bearing a badge of a local community association, which depicts two children playing together. In his front window, a statue of the Child Jesus, also known as the Child of Prague, was prominently displayed. This statue, often found in many homes worldwide, symbolizes innocence and divine love, a stark contrast to the allegations against him.

Details of the case emerged during the trial, where McNamee denied all charges. The victim, who was a child at the time, explained that McNamee would frequently visit his family, bringing sweets and biscuits, and paying special attention to him. The child felt valued because McNamee often bought him comics and left chocolates beside his bed. McNamee had asked the boy to stay overnight at his house, an invitation his mother initially refused. However, after persistent grooming through gifts and attention, the mother eventually allowed the boy to stay, believing he would be safe.

On the night in question, McNamee drove the boy to his home, where he shared a room with both a single and a double bed. The victim was instructed to sleep in the double bed, with McNamee later joining him. The boy recalled waking around 2 a.m. with an uncomfortable feeling, only to discover McNamee fondling his genitals. Distressed, he ran to the bathroom, where his mother checked on him. The boy claimed to have a sore head and wanted to go home, but his mother told him it was too late and sent him back to bed. The following day, McNamee took the boy home, and he never returned to his house again.

Despite this, McNamee continued to visit the boy’s family, always leaving chocolates beside the child's bed. On one occasion, the victim noticed McNamee drinking alcohol, which was unusual as McNamee had always insisted he did not drink. That night, McNamee stayed over, sleeping in a spare bed in the child's room. During the early hours, the boy woke to find McNamee fondling him again. The boy, distressed, sought refuge in his parents’ room but did not disclose what had happened. A similar incident occurred later, with McNamee entering the boy’s room during the night and again sexually touching him. The boy spent the rest of the night with his parents, complaining of a sore head.

McNamee left the house the next day, and although no further incidents occurred, the victim became increasingly concerned for other children in his family. He warned one relative not to sit on McNamee’s lap. Eventually, the victim confided in a family member about the abuse, revealing that McNamee had “touched him where he didn’t want to be touched.” The matter was reported to the police, leading to McNamee’s arrest. During police interviews, he denied all allegations and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. However, after deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict by majority on all counts.

McNamee was granted bail pending sentencing, with Judge Peter Irvine QC cautioning that this decision should not be interpreted as a reflection of the severity of his crimes. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for September, where the full extent of his punishment will be determined. The community remains deeply troubled by the proximity of his residence to a local primary school and the implications for child safety in the area.