A former treasurer of Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club, accused of sexual offences on young men and children, is to be released into the custody of police for questioning after new alleged victims came forward.
Prosecution told Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday that police would be making an application to question the 59-year-old over these fresh allegations.
Thomas McKenna is currently accused of the sexual abuse of 12 victims over an almost 30 year time span. He appeared at Newry Magistrates’ via videolink from Maghaberry.
On one set of charges he is facing 10 offences against three males including five counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault and single counts of buggery and attempted buggery.
On a second, the former GAA treasurer faces a total of 17 charges alleged to have been committed between 1988 and his arrest in August last year.
They include two counts of buggery against persons aged over 16 without consent, and two gross indecency charges, one against a child.
He is also charged with sexual assault, voyeurism and eight counts of indecent assault, along with making and possessing indecent photographs of children.
The retired postman, who was treasurer for Crossmaglen Rangers, is further alleged to have interfered with mail during his time of employment.
Previous courts have heard that the “serious and complex investigation” involves alleged victims who claim McKenna either sexually abused them or he took photos and videos of them without their permission.
Police searches led to the recovery of devices alleged to contain 43,000 still images and 8,000 short video clips – some allegedly taken covertly.
Speaking on Wednesday, prosecution stated that an Article 47 application was to be made by the PSNI after “new victims have come forward”.
A production order was made for McKenna to appear at Newry Magistrates’ on November 20 for this to be carried out.
