Former Leitrim tennis coach jailed in UK for child sex offences

A 33-year old man from Leitrim has been sentenced to over 6 years in jail for multiple child sex offences following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Sean Francis McGranaghan of Mill Apartments, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim was sentenced to six-and-a-half-years at Bristol Crown Court recently.

McGranaghan first came to the attention of SWROCU in January 2023 having made contact online with who he thought was a child but was actually a specialist covert officer.

Later that year he also came to the attention of covert officers within the Metropolitan Police area, again communicating online with who he believed was a real child.

McGranaghan was arrested at Gatwick Airport in May 2023 by SWROCU officers from the Online Investigations Team. This team works alongside a national network of undercover officers tackling offences online, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.

He pleaded not-guilty to two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child, and two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The case went to trial where a jury found McGranaghan guilty on all counts.

DI David Wells from SWROCU Online Investigations Team said: “McGranaghan is a dangerous individual who has never admitted any liability for his heinous crimes. The judge handed him a significant custodial sentence in response to this and I am pleased he will no longer pose a risk to children whilst incarcerated.”

McGranaghan was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sexual Offenders Register for life.

Mr McGranaghan previously worked at four tennis clubs in the Northwest of Ireland over a period of 18 months.

According to Independent.ie, he worked for over a year from September 2021 to December 2022 at Sligo Tennis Club while he also worked at Butthall Tennis Club in Ballybofey, Co Donegal, Manorhamilton in Co Leitrim and Castlebar in Co Mayo.

He worked as an assistant coach and was never a head coach at any club in Ireland.

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