JAMES MCKEEVER, FORMER DERRY DEPUTY MAYOR, SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN DERRY
In a case that has shocked the community of Derry, James McKeever, a former deputy mayor and respected figure in the area, was sentenced to four years in prison for the repeated sexual abuse of a young girl over a span of nearly a decade.The sentencing took place at Belfast Crown Court, where the gravity of his offenses was laid bare through detailed testimonies and a thorough legal process.
McKeever, aged 64 and residing in Tamneyreagh Park, Eglinton, faced a jury in May after being found guilty of eight charges related to his abuse.
The charges included seven counts of indecently assaulting a girl and two counts of gross indecency involving a child.
The abuse reportedly occurred between August 1981 and December 1988, a period during which the victim was between the ages of eight and 14.
Despite his denial of all allegations, the jury, composed of six men and six women, unanimously convicted him of nine charges.
During the trial, the victim, now 47, recounted the traumatic experiences she endured as a child.
She described incidents that took place in various locations around Derry, including her home and Desmond’s Factory, where McKeever rented an office space.
She detailed how McKeever’s actions involved sexual touching and other inappropriate conduct, which she had kept bottled up for many years.
Her testimony painted a disturbing picture of the abuse, which she said left lasting scars.
In the courtroom, McKeever maintained his innocence, asserting that he had done nothing wrong.
However, the jury was convinced otherwise, and the court’s verdict reflected their unanimous decision.
Judge Donna McColgan QC, presiding over the case, acknowledged the profound impact the abuse had on the victim.
She stated, “She has made every effort to look at the positives in her life but the feelings and memories of what happened in her childhood will always be with her.” Judge McColgan emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, noting the prolonged period over which the abuse took place as a significant aggravating factor.
As part of his sentence, McKeever was ordered to serve four years in prison and was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Despite his conviction, McKeever continues to assert his innocence, a stance that was evident during the sentencing hearing.
Earlier, in May 2022, McKeever was convicted of similar charges after a week-long trial.
The jury had deliberated for nearly six hours before reaching a verdict, which included guilty findings on six of the six indecent assault charges and two charges of gross indecency.
The victim, who contacted police in 2018, recounted her experiences of abuse at various locations in Derry, including incidents at Desmond’s Factory and in a car, when she was a child.
She revealed that she had kept her suffering hidden for years, partly due to McKeever’s standing in the community and his charitable work.
Following his arrest, McKeever denied all allegations, claiming he had not behaved improperly towards the victim.
His defense highlighted his previously unblemished character and his record of fostering numerous children, which contrasted sharply with the charges against him.
Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty on eight of the nine charges, leading to his remand in custody until sentencing.
In a statement released after the verdict, the victim expressed her relief and called for others who might be suffering in silence to come forward.
She said, “Nothing is going to erase what that man done to me but today justice has been served.
If anybody has been in the same situation as me I would ask them to come forward to police and speak out.” The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Derry, highlighting the importance of addressing and confronting abuse, regardless of the perpetrator’s social standing.
