A former GAA treasurer has been jailed after pleading guilty to 162 sexual abuse offences over a 30 year period.  

Thomas McKenna, aged 62, was considered a “respected” member of the community in Crossmaglen, Armagh.

He worked as a postman and director of the local Credit Union; in his spare time he volunteered as the treasurer of the Crossmaglen Rangers club. 

His offending began in 1989 and involved 23 males - aged between 14 and 39. 

C687YY Crossmaglen Rangers club house

“Thomas McKenna was a respected and influential member of the Crossmaglen community,” DCI Kerry Brennan said. 

“[He] used his position of trust to gain access to young males, to carry out a litany of abuse as outlined by the courts today.” 

A spokesperson for the Crossmaglen Rangers club paid tribute to the victims and said their bravery has “made our club and community safer”. 

In a statement to the media, the victims said:

“As a group, we sincerely thank our families, our community and the members of the Crossmaglen Rangers Club for the unwavering loyalty, support and care you have provided us.

“We want to thank the Police Service for the empathy and swiftness in which they dealt with the crimes committed against us from when they were first informed almost five years ago.

“In addition, we also wish to thank the Public Prosecution Service and the prosecution team for their professionalism and diligence in preparing the case for Court and ensuring we received the guilty pleas for the litany of crimes committed against us when we were children.

"And most importantly, to ensure this individual will never be a part of our community again."

McKenna will serve 16 years in jail and be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Main image: A man in handcuffs. Picture by: Alamy.com