KIERAN O’KANE FROM DUNGIVEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN ANTRIM

In May 2023, a disturbing case involving a convicted paedophile from Dungiven culminated in a significant prison sentence, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and abuse. Kieran O’Kane, aged 31, was found guilty of a series of heinous offences related to his sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl, whom he groomed, abused, and recorded engaging in sexual acts with him.

The case was heard at Antrim Crown Court, where the court was presented with evidence of O’Kane’s predatory behavior. It was revealed that he had referred to the young girl as his “dirty little secret,” a phrase that underscored the manipulative and exploitative nature of his actions. The court heard that O’Kane had engaged in persistent sexual communication with the girl, despite knowing her age, and had encouraged her to call him ‘Daddy,’ further demonstrating his inappropriate and disturbing conduct.

Judge Alistair Devlin, presiding over the case, commended the victim’s remarkable courage and bravery in coming forward and seeing the case through to its conclusion. The judge expressed hope that both the girl and her foster carer could find some measure of closure now that justice had been served. Addressing O’Kane directly, Judge Devlin emphasized that it was clear he was fully aware of the girl’s age—just 14—and that she was particularly vulnerable due to her home circumstances. The judge pointed out that O’Kane’s sexual communication and abuse were persistent and exploitative, occurring when he was well aware of her youth and vulnerability.

O’Kane, a resident of Columbia Park in Dungiven, was sentenced to 44 months in prison. The court also ordered that he serve half of this sentence behind bars, with the remaining time under supervised licence conditions. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

Prior to sentencing, O’Kane had admitted to 36 separate sex offences, including seven counts of sexual activity with a female child, four counts of sexually communicating with the underage girl, and one count of inciting her to take indecent photographs. He also pleaded guilty to 22 counts of making and possessing indecent images of a child, along with two charges related to possessing extreme pornography, all committed between October 2021 and March of the following year.

The court was informed that the offences came to light in February of the previous year after the girl’s foster carer discovered sexual content on her mobile phone. This included explicit messages from a man identified as Kieran, along with a video showing the girl performing a sex act on a male inside a Volkswagen vehicle. The messages revealed that O’Kane had been in contact with the girl despite her age being only 14, and he had told her “the younger you are the better.”

Further messages uncovered during the investigation showed that O’Kane discussed sexual positions, asked her to “call him Daddy,” and referred to her as “baby” and later as “my dirty little secret.” Evidence also indicated that O’Kane had driven from Dungiven to meet the girl on at least one occasion. The victim provided a recorded interview to detectives, describing how she met O’Kane at a residential retreat around Christmas time, after which he began messaging her via social media.

She recounted that during their first meeting, he kissed her passionately, touched her private parts, and engaged in sexual activity. They met again in January, during which O’Kane recorded her performing a sex act on him before they had sex once more. The court heard that some of the indecent images found on O’Kane’s phone were of the girl, with police uncovering explicit content after he had asked her to send nude photographs.

Despite initially denying any involvement or knowledge of the girl, O’Kane later admitted guilt in court, which spared the victim from having to relive her trauma through a trial. The court noted that he had lied extensively to police but expressed remorse for his actions. As part of his sentence, O’Kane was disqualified from working with children, and the court ordered that he be subject to the conditions of his licence and SOPO, ensuring he remains under supervision and monitoring for the foreseeable future.