JAMES MCNAMEE FROM LISNASKEA SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TWO GIRLS IN CO FERMANAGH

In June 2018, a tragic case unfolded involving James Desmond McNamee, a 72-year-old man from Bunneil, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, who was convicted and subsequently sentenced to six years in prison for the sexual abuse of two young girls. The heinous acts spanned over a decade, beginning when the victims were as young as seven years old, and involved multiple instances of indecent assault and gross indecency.

McNamee’s first known offenses occurred between 1976 and 1978, targeting one girl on four separate occasions. The victim later recounted that the abuse started with inappropriate touching, which gradually escalated to more sinister acts. She recalled a specific incident when she was staying at McNamee’s home around the time she celebrated her First Holy Communion, a moment that marked a particularly distressing chapter in her life.

Meanwhile, the second girl was victimized during the late 1980s and early 1990s while McNamee served as her scout leader in Donagh, Co Fermanagh. She described a disturbing pattern where McNamee would take her and other scouts on trips to a local shop on Saturdays, often buying them sweets as a guise. During these outings, he would sometimes drive to Water Service premises in Lisnaskea, a location he had access to as an employee. While the other scouts played outside, McNamee would take the second girl into a building where he committed the abuse.

The court heard that McNamee’s defense acknowledged the charges, which helped spare the victims the ordeal of a trial. His lawyer explained that McNamee accepted responsibility for his actions. It was also noted that, aside from his employment history, he had been involved in community activities such as umpiring football matches and engaging in charitable work for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

Judge Stephen Fowler addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes. He stated, “This offending was a profound violation of two young children, at a vulnerable age. I consider the impact on them as significant. This was an invasive series of sexual offences over a prolonged period of time.”

Ultimately, McNamee was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final two years to be served on supervised license, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the lasting harm inflicted upon his victims.