OAP CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FELLOW PENSIONER IN CHAPEL
Peter McGlone, who once gained prominence as a booking agent for bands in the Omagh region, was found guilty last week at Omagh Magistrates Court of a single count of sexual assault.The 80-year-old had denied the allegation but was convicted and received a conditional discharge.
After the court hearing, the family of the 75-year-old local woman, who was the victim, stated she would no longer attend St Mary’s Killyclogher church where the incident happened.
The woman was left traumatized after McGlone inappropriately touched her and kissed her as she was leaving her local church.
Historically, McGlone was respected within the Cappagh Parish community, often collecting donations during Mass and at church functions.
Residing on Glennan Grove in County Tyrone, McGlone lives close to the victim, with whom he has come into contact multiple times since the incident.
The assault occurred in June 2023 when the woman had gone to the parish church for prayer.
She arrived as McGlone and several others were departing the chapel.
While seated in a pew, she noticed the kneeler was up and moved to adjust it when McGlone suddenly appeared behind her, wrapping his arm around her to lower the kneeler.
According to a source close to the woman, he said, “I’ll get that for you,” and she paused to pray briefly.
As she prepared to leave, he suddenly approached, wrapped his arms around her, touched her backside, and kissed her.
She delayed reporting the incident for a few days, remaining in shock.
When she did speak to McGlone, he admitted that he shouldn't have acted that way.
Following the court ruling, she expressed her distress about being assaulted in a place where she felt she should have been safe.
She remains deeply affected by the event, and her acquaintances report she avoids local shops due to encounters with McGlone there.
She questions whether others are evaluating her differently, thinking she might have encouraged his behaviour a fear common among older victims.
A family friend advised her to stand confidently because she did nothing wrong, though she remains visibly upset.
The incident has also led her to feel uneasy about returning to her local church; McGlone has permission to attend services but is barred from volunteer activities.
She has declared she will avoid returning to that chapel, even though she must pass by it daily.
Raised with strong faith values, she finds it hard to cope with such a betrayal.
For many years, Peter McGlone was a familiar figure in Omagh’s entertainment scene, notably organising events at Knock-Na-Moe Castle Hotel, which hosted renowned musicians like Phil Lynott and Rory Gallagher in the 1980s.
In court, the pensioner pleaded not guilty to knowingly engaging in sexual contact without consent, recognizing the act as sexual in nature.
He was convicted and sentenced to a conditional discharge lasting two years, meaning any future offence could result in punishment.
When approached by Sunday World, McGlone declined to comment on the victim or the incident.
