STEPHEN MCNALLY IN DALNEIGH: SEX OFFENDER'S SHOCKING RETURN TO INVERNESS NEIGHBOURHOOD

In May 2007, a distressing incident unfolded in the Dalneigh area of Inverness, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and privacy of victims of sexual abuse. A teenage girl, who was sexually assaulted along with her younger sister during their childhood, was left deeply traumatized after an unsettling encounter with the man responsible for their abuse, Stephen McNally, in a local shop.

McNally, a convicted sex offender, was recognized by the victim when she unexpectedly came face-to-face with him while shopping in Dalneigh. This encounter has reignited fears within the family, who believe that the community has a right to be informed about the whereabouts of known sex offenders. The family expressed their outrage, feeling that the rights of criminals seem to outweigh those of victims, especially when it comes to community safety.

The girls, now aged 18 and 16, have been profoundly affected by the incident. The eldest, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recounted her shock and fear upon seeing McNally in the shop. She described her feelings as terrified and overwhelmed, noting that she is a very reserved individual who has struggled to speak openly about her trauma. Her younger sister, who was only nine at the time of her assault, is now suffering emotionally to the point of self-harm, with her mother revealing that she has been cutting herself as a response to the distress.

Their mother, who also remains anonymous, shared her anguish over the situation. She explained that her family lives in a different part of Inverness, while her daughters reside with their aunt in Dalneigh. The mother expressed her disbelief and frustration that McNally, a man convicted of serious sexual offenses, was seen in the neighborhood where her daughters live. She emphasized that they had believed he would be restricted from entering areas close to where the girls are based, especially given his criminal record.

The family’s concerns were compounded by their attempts to seek information from authorities. They questioned whether McNally was being monitored or tagged as part of his release conditions. However, police officials reportedly refused to disclose any details, citing privacy rights. The aunt of the victims voiced her frustration, stating, “I just want people to be aware he is in the area and I think people have a right to know this. It is disgraceful he is being allowed to come into this area. We were led to believe that when he was released he would not be allowed anywhere near the girls. However, there he was in the local shop.”

She further criticized the justice system, questioning the effectiveness of current measures to protect victims and the community. “We have spoken to police and tried to find out if under the terms of his conviction he can be here, whether they are keeping an eye on him and whether he is tagged – but they said they cannot give us that information because of his rights. What about our rights? My nieces have a right to feel safe in the area in which they live. They are terrified to go out now in case he is around, but he is free to go where he wants. The justice system has a lot to answer for,” she stated.

In response, a spokesman for the Northern Constabulary explained that law enforcement agencies, along with Highland Council and other partner organizations, work diligently to manage the presence of sex offenders within communities. While they do not confirm individual identities publicly, they acknowledged the community’s concerns and emphasized their commitment to balancing privacy rights with the need to protect vulnerable populations. The spokesman added, “The inter-agency approach aims to ensure that the correct balance is achieved between the rights of individuals to privacy and confidentiality and the rights of children and vulnerable adults to be protected from abuse.”

Despite these assurances, the family remains deeply unsettled, feeling that the system has failed to adequately safeguard their community and loved ones from individuals like Stephen McNally, who continues to pose a threat in the Inverness area.