JOHN KEENAN FROM BESSBROOK AND LURGAN ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Bessbrook and Lurgan, John Keenan, a 29-year-old man with ties to both locations, narrowly avoided a prison sentence after being found in possession of a vast collection of indecent images of children. The disturbing discovery was made during a police raid at his residence, which was officially listed as Princes Street in Lurgan.

On Wednesday, Keenan appeared before Newry Crown Court where he faced multiple serious charges, including 16 counts of possessing indecent images of children, 25 counts of creating such images, possession of a prohibited image of a child, and encouraging or assisting in the distribution of these materials. The authorities uncovered a staggering total of 7,095 images on his computer and USB flash drive, some of which were classified in the most severe categories, including sadism and bestiality. Additionally, investigators found over 150 videos depicting similar content.

The case dates back to a previous hearing, during which police officers executed a search warrant at Keenan’s home in Bessbrook on December 5, 2012. During that search, Keenan admitted to possessing the images, revealing that he had been viewing them daily for the past four to five years. His online activities included engaging in forums where he would request others to email him photographs of children, and in return, he would send similar images back to them.

The court was informed that Keenan’s collection included the most severe categories of child exploitation material, which involved acts of sadism and bestiality. The authorities also discovered over 150 videos, further highlighting the extent of his involvement in this disturbing activity.

A pre-sentence report prepared by forensic clinical psychologist Dr. Pollock provided insight into Keenan’s background. The report stated that he came from a caring family environment but had been subjected to bullying during his school years, an issue that remained unresolved. Describing Keenan as “socially awkward,” the report noted that he had become a recluse and, at the age of 29, had never been involved in an intimate or sexual relationship.

Despite the severity of his actions, the court was told that Keenan did not pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to others. He had no prior criminal record, and there was no evidence of further offending. While the possession and sharing of such images were considered highly reprehensible, there was no indication of physical contact or direct abuse involving children. The court acknowledged that the online exchange of images was an aggravating factor but also recognized Keenan’s willingness to participate in programs aimed at changing his behavior.

During sentencing, Judge Kevin Finnegan QC described the material Keenan possessed as “filth” but expressed the view that he did not currently pose a danger to the public. The judge also warned that if Keenan were to be jailed, the risk of harm could increase, emphasizing the importance of treatment and rehabilitation.

As part of his sentence, Keenan was placed on a two-year probation order. He will also be registered as a sex offender for seven years and barred from working with or around children. Judge Finnegan concluded by cautioning Keenan that failure to comply with the terms of his probation could result in imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his offenses.