KEITH BURNS SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN ENNISKILLEN AND DUNGANNON

In a case that has shocked the community of Enniskillen and the surrounding areas, Keith Francis Burns, a 64-year-old former Irish Olympic coach, has been sentenced to two years in prison following his conviction for sexually abusing a young girl he was training. The incident dates back to the period between 1994 and 2002, during which Burns was accused of indecently assaulting the girl, who was only 13 years old at the start of the alleged abuse.

Burns, residing at Silverhill in Enniskillen, had consistently denied the charges, claiming he was innocent of the seven counts of indecent assault that he was found guilty of last month at Dungannon Magistrates Court. The court convicted him on seven out of nine charges, acquitting him of two counts related to the girl’s age of 12 at the time of the alleged abuse. As part of his sentence, Burns was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, marking a significant legal consequence for his actions.

The case gained further notoriety when the victim, now aged 25, secretly recorded Burns in a bar, where he was heard confessing to committing “four or five serious offences.” In the recording, Burns admitted to engaging in conduct that he described as “things which should not have happened.” This confession played a crucial role in the court’s decision, providing direct evidence of his guilt.

During the trial, Burns attempted to portray himself as a victim of a setup, claiming he was “set up” and “ambushed” by the girl and her parents. He argued that he was “confused and stressed” when confronted and that his taped confession was a misunderstanding. Burns insisted that he believed he was being accused of massaging a sports injury, which he claimed was against coaching guidelines and protocols, and not of a sexual nature.

The court heard disturbing details about Burns’ conduct during training sessions. It was alleged that he would measure the girl’s body, including her bust, while she was nearly naked, supposedly to assess her “body fat.” The situation escalated when Burns persuaded her to strip completely, claiming he “admired the human form.” The court was also informed that Burns made sexual suggestions to the girl, further emphasizing the severity of his misconduct.

This case has brought to light serious concerns about abuse of authority and trust within the sporting community, especially involving a figure once regarded as a coach of national and Olympic stature. The community and authorities continue to reflect on the implications of this case, which underscores the importance of safeguarding young athletes from exploitation and abuse.