It’s been confirmed that all tennis clubs across the North West are being contacted over revelations that a former Sligo-based tennis coach has been jailed for multiple child sex offences in the UK.
Sean McGranaghan, with an address at Mill Apartments, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison at Bristol Crown Court last month.
It’s since emerged that he coached at other clubs in Leitrim, Donegal and Mayo.
McGranaghan first came to the attention of UK police in May 2023, after making contact with who he believed was a child, but was actually a specialist police officer.
He came to the attention of police again later that year, attempting to contact who he believed to be a child for the second time.
Mr McGranaghan was arrested at Gatwick Airport in May 2023. At his trial in Bristol Crown Court, he pleaded not-guilty to four charges, two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child, and two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
He was found guilty by a jury of all four counts, and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison last month.
He coached at Sligo Tennis club between September 2021 and December 2022.
Sligo Tennis Club are continuing to work to identify the children who attended coaching groups with him.
It’s since emerged that McGranaghan also worked at Manorhamilton and Butt Hall Tennis Clubs.
In a statement issued earlier this week, Sligo Tennis Club say they have no indication at this time that any inappropriate behaviour occurred during Mr McGranaghans time at the club.
Sligo Tennis Club also stated that they strictly adhere to all safeguarding measures set out by Sport Ireland and Tennis Ireland.
This has been echoed today by the CEO of Tennis Ireland Kevin Quinn who says they are not aware of any inappropriate behaviour by Sean McGranaghan during his time in Ireland, at this stage.
Mr. Quinn says McGranaghan he returned to the UK in January of last year and had been due to come back to Ireland, but didn’t.
Mr. Quinn stated that all procedures and safeguarding measures were in place when McGranaghan works at the respective clubs.
He says they are also in the process of contacting all club members and families.
