THOMAS MCKENNA SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF SEX ABUSE IN CROSSMAGLEN

In April 2023, Thomas McKenna, a former treasurer of a local GAA club in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to an extensive and disturbing series of sexual offenses spanning over three decades. The court heard that McKenna, aged 62, admitted to committing a total of 162 offences involving at least 23 male victims, some of whom were teenagers at the time of the abuse.

The abuse took place at various locations within the small community of Crossmaglen, including at the local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club, which was considered a central part of village life. McKenna, who was well-trusted in the community as the local postman, an employee at Crossmaglen Credit Union, and a volunteer with the GAA club for many years, exploited his positions of trust to carry out his predatory activities.

The court was told that McKenna’s offending began in 1988 and continued until his arrest in 2018. During this period, he engaged in a range of criminal acts, including sexual assault, indecent assault, voyeurism, and the taking of indecent images of children. Police investigations revealed that McKenna had stored more than 50,000 photographs and video clips on his recording devices, many of which depicted victims either naked or partially clothed in secret recordings.

The judge described the case as unprecedented due to its scale and duration, emphasizing the profound psychological damage inflicted on the victims. The court heard that some victims suffered from addiction issues, experienced difficulties in personal relationships, and in some cases, attempted suicide as a direct result of McKenna’s abuse. The judge stated, “You targeted boys and young men, 23 in total, manipulating them to the point where they felt utterly powerless and unable to disclose what you had done.”

Addressing McKenna directly, the judge condemned his actions, noting that he used his trusted roles to groom young players and establish relationships with parents to gain access to their children. The judge highlighted that McKenna’s offending was not only prolonged but also deeply ingrained in his life, with probation reports describing his sexual offending as “ingrained” in all aspects of his character.

During sentencing, the court acknowledged McKenna’s guilty pleas, which spared his victims from the trauma of giving evidence in a public trial. However, it was also noted that he only admitted many of the more serious offences shortly before the trial, causing additional anxiety for the victims. McKenna initially denied the allegations, accusing victims of lying and fabricating stories to harm him. He also claimed some sexual activities were consensual and dismissed others as innocent horseplay, attempts the judge described as psychological power games.

The judge described McKenna’s attitude towards his victims as “chilling,” quoting how he approached potential victims with a casual attitude, saying, “If it worked out, fine, if not go on to the next one.” The court expressed grave concern that the abuse was only halted by his arrest, indicating a disturbing indifference to the harm caused over many years.

In addition to his prison sentence, McKenna’s name will be permanently added to the sex offenders register, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The judge emphasized that the community of Crossmaglen, a close-knit village where the GAA club is a cornerstone, was deeply affected by the revelations, and the case’s severity underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from trusted community members like McKenna.