No fresh charges are to be laid against GAA treasurer and alleged pervert Thomas McKenna following police questioning.
As a result of a police application yesterday (Wednesday), officers investigating the 59-year-old were granted 24 hours to question him about new allegations.
McKenna, wearing a grey zip up fleece, was back in the dock of Banbridge Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, today (Thursday) but District Judge Paul Copeland told the alleged pervert “there’s no new charge today” and remanded him back into custody to appear again, via videolink, on October 16.
McKenna, whose address is c/o Maghaberry Prison, is currently accused of the sexual abuse of 12 victims over an almost 30 year time span.
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 indictment, 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 offences, one of which was 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 said to contain 43,000 still images and 8,000 short video clips – some allegedly taken covertly.
