GEORGE KELLY FROM FIVEMILETOWN CAUGHT DRESSED AS WOMAN AT SCHOOL IN BALLYGALLY AND JAILED

In August 2019, Geoffrey Kelly, a known sex offender from Fivemiletown, was involved in a disturbing incident at St Ciaran’s College in Ballygally, County Tyrone. Kelly, who was previously banned from approaching schools under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), was caught wandering the corridors of the college dressed as a woman, complete with a blonde wig and female attire. The incident raised serious concerns about compliance with court orders and the safety of school environments.

According to reports, staff at St Ciaran’s College noticed Kelly gaining entry through a side door and moving along the hallways. He was observed attempting door handles on various rooms but did not manage to enter any of them. When confronted by school staff, Kelly claimed he was searching for a third-year female student and even provided a name. However, a check of the school register revealed that no student by that name was enrolled at the institution, further highlighting the suspicious nature of his actions.

Police were promptly called to the scene, and Kelly was found to be seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked at Ballygally Park & Ride. The vehicle was later identified by authorities, and Kelly was detained. He was dressed as described by witnesses — wearing a white skirt, a pink jacket, a string of pearls, and the blonde wig. During questioning, Kelly admitted to being present at the school but claimed he was merely “just looking around.” He also accepted that he was at the location but offered no explanation for his intentions.

Kelly’s arrest was followed by interviews in which he claimed to have no memory of the events. The following day, during a second interview, he stated that he had traveled to Omagh to pick up a hired car but could not recall any further details. CCTV footage was reviewed, and although Kelly acknowledged that the individual in the footage resembled him, he maintained his initial story.

It is important to note that Kelly has a history of relevant convictions, including two sexual assaults committed in 2016 and 2017, both involving women. In one of these incidents, which took place in Coalisland, Kelly was also dressed in female clothing. Additionally, he has a conviction for indecent exposure to a teenage girl in 2017, which occurred in a ladies’ boutique in Draperstown. During that incident, Kelly purchased clothes and decided to try them on immediately, eventually removing all his clothes and emerging from a changing room. When questioned about this behavior, his defense team stated that “how he chooses to dress is not an issue,” but acknowledged concerns about his presence at the school.

Pre-sentence reports indicated that Kelly tends to minimize his actions and lacks full understanding of their implications. His defense argued that dressing is a personal choice and that Kelly is a “complicated character,” entitled to dress as he wishes but not to behave inappropriately. The court was informed that existing Probation Orders related to his previous offenses might be revoked due to his recent conduct.

District Judge John Meehan expressed serious concerns about Kelly’s likelihood to reoffend, noting his repeated assertions of amnesia and denial of previous convictions. Addressing Kelly directly, the judge emphasized that his actions were premeditated, aimed at gaining access to a school environment from which he was legally barred. The judge stated, “This was a premeditated action at a school. You were trying door handles to gain entry to premises you are banned from being in or near. You present a risk. But you are not paying attention to the SOPO and the risk remains.”

In light of the evidence and Kelly’s history, Judge Meehan sentenced him to four months in prison, deeming the sentence necessary to protect the public and prevent further breaches. Kelly’s behavior, especially given his prior convictions and the breach of court orders, underscores the ongoing concerns about his potential to reoffend and the importance of strict legal measures to safeguard community safety.