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Victims of a notorious sex offender have voiced outrage over a government department’s move to recoup legal costs from assets linked to their abuser. Thomas McKenna, once the treasurer of the Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club in County Armagh, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2023 after admitting to abusing 23 young males over a period spanning 30 years. Following his conviction, survivors have sought financial recompense from McKenna, but the Department of Justice (DoJ) is simultaneously attempting to reclaim the expenses incurred during his defence via the Legal Services Agency.
The DoJ declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. However, advocates supporting the victims described the effort to recover these costs as a significant blow, with John McEntee, who has worked closely with the survivors, explaining that the victims feel they are being forced into a struggle against the government for their rightful compensation. McEntee, a former All-Ireland Gaelic football champion associated with Crossmaglen and Armagh, criticized the department for effectively seeking reimbursement “from the victims’ pocket,” emphasizing that funds tied to McKenna should prioritize aiding survivors’ recovery rather than covering his legal fees.
The recovery of defence costs is governed by legislation known as the Recovery of Defence Costs Orders (2012). This legal path allows the Legal Services Agency, operating within the DoJ, to petition courts to reclaim the public money spent on legal aid for defendants who are ultimately convicted. While the procedure can be protracted, success results in the possible sale of assets—such as property—with proceeds recycled to fund future legal aid cases. The department has confirmed that this mechanism has been successfully employed twice in the past five years. However, solicitor Cormac McDonnell, representing some of McKenna’s survivors, revealed that awareness of the DoJ’s application was incidental rather than formally communicated. He noted the law’s application in this case appears unusual, stating, “I don’t know why in this case – I’m not aware of what criteria is used to determine which cases they pursue and they don’t pursue.”
In parallel to the DoJ’s recovery efforts, legal teams acting for McKenna’s victims have sought permission to make representations during the court hearings related to the costs. A ruling on this request is anticipated later in February. Meanwhile, the survivors continue pursuing their compensation claims independently of these proceedings. McKenna’s crimes, detailed over a protracted judicial process, exposed him as a respected community figure who terrorized boys for three decades, with his offences ceasing only upon his arrest. The judge who sentenced him described the damage inflicted as “immeasurable.” McEntee commented on the devastating impact these revelations have had on Crossmaglen, noting that while many victims have managed to move forward, the community is still grappling with the trauma. “Most of the fellas have been able to get on with life. Having the abuser off the streets means that other kids around the town are safe,” he said, while also acknowledging the ongoing sensitivity that surrounds the case locally. Lastly, the DoJ reiterated that the Legal Services Agency seeks to recover public funds spent on defendants who meet the criteria under the current legislation and clarified that no specific types of cases are excluded from this process. They further disclosed that two recovery orders totaling £259,600 are being enforced at present
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