Former tennis coach in prison over child sex offences coached at Ballybofey club

A former tennis coach convicted of multiple child sex offences in Britain coached at a club in Donegal.

Sean Francis McGranaghan, who has been sent to prison for six and a half years, coached at the Butt Hall Tennis Club in Ballybofey between February 2022 and April 2023.

The now 33-year-old, of Mill Apartments, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, was at Bristol Crown Court in August after a jury found him guilty on two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child and two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

McGranaghan had pleaded not guilty.

He also coached at Sligo Tennis Club and Manorhamilton Tennis Club in recent years.

The Butt Tennis Committe said there was no indication that any inappropriate behaviour occurred while Mr McGranaghan coached at the club, which is now working to identify the children who attended coaching groups with him and are making every effort to contact the parents of the children in question.

The club says it is ommitted to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all of its members.

Tennis Ireland has reassured its affiliates that safeguarding and child welfare ‘are of paramount importance’ to the goverbing body.

“Tennis Ireland has become aware of the recent conviction in the UK of a former tennis coach, Sean McGranaghan, who was, for a time, coaching in the northwest region,” Tennis Ireland said, addingtrhat it notified affiliated clubs, including the Butt Hall Tennis Club, of the development.

“We continue to support these clubs on the best ways to communicate with parents and members regarding safeguarding concerns,” Tennis Ireland said.

“We have also been in contact with other tennis clubs not affiliated with Tennis Ireland and remain proactive in assisting all tennis clubs and communities across Ireland.”

Tennis Ireland said McGranaghan was fully Garda vetted and licensed while working in Ireland over a period from July 2021 to January 2023.

Tennis Ireland said: “We are not aware of any inappropriate behaviour by this coach at any of our affiliated clubs or partner sports organisations.

“We are constantly reviewing and updating our safeguarding measures to align with the best standards set by Sport Ireland.

“Anyone with concerns related to Sean McGranaghan is encouraged to contact their local tennis club. Any issues that may arise should be referred immediately to the relevant state bodies; An Garda Síochána and TÚSLA.”