Ex-GAA official admits sex assault charges in Armagh

A former Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club official accused of sexually abusing 20 victims over almost three decades has pleaded guilty to what a judge described as a "catalogue of terrible offences" against vulnerable young men.

Thomas McKenna, 62, is a former treasurer of the Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club in Co Armagh.

McKenna had been due to go on trial facing 150 charges, including a number of rape and serious sexual assault and scores of indecent assault offences.

Several involved offences against children.

The offending was said to have taken place over almost 30 years from December 1989 until August of 2018 when he was arrested.

At Belfast Laganside Court this morning, McKenna was re-arraigned on the charges he faced.

It took almost 30 minutes for the charges to be put to him and he pleaded guilty to them all.

The judge told McKenna he would be "punished severely" when he is brought back for sentencing later in the year.

She also spoke directly to some of McKenna's victims who were watching proceedings via videolink.

"I praise your courage in coming forward to disclose these terrible crimes in very, very difficult circumstances.

"Today each of you is completely vindicated in the complaints you made against this man and I hope that vindication will bring you some peace of mind to those of you who still suffer greviously.

"Each of you has done a great public service in coming forward and I want to thank you for that."

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In June last year, McKenna had pleaded guilty to 23 charges