A former tennis coach who worked at a Co Donegal tennis club has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for multiple child sex offences in Britain.
Sean Francis McGranaghan (33) was sentenced to six-and-a-half-years at Bristol Crown Court on August 22nd last.
McGranaghan had worked at a number of tennis clubs in the North West including Butthall Tennis Club in Ballybofey.
CEO of Tennis Ireland, Kevin Quinn said the organisation is not aware of any reports of inappropriate behaviour in Ireland in relation to McGranaghan.
However, he acknowledged it is an ‘evolving situation’ and club members and families are still being contacted.
McGranaghan, of Mill Apartments, Dromahair, Co Leitrim, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child, and two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
The case went to trial where a jury found McGranaghan guilty on all counts.
Mr McGranaghan previously worked at four tennis clubs in the Northwest of Ireland over a period of 18 months.
He worked for over a year from September 2021 to December 2022 at Sligo Tennis Club while he also worked at Butthall Tennis Club in Ballybofey Co Donegal, Manorhamilton in Co Leitrim and Castlebar in Co Mayo.
He worked as an assistant coach and was never a head coach at any club in Ireland.
Sligo Tennis Club issued a statement to members informing members of the details of the convictions and added there was no indication that any inappropriate conduct occurred at the club.
The club is currently working to identify the children who attended coaching groups during the time Mr McGranaghan was a coach.
Detective Inspector David Wells, from SWROCU’s Online Investigations Team, said: “Sean McGranaghan is a dangerous individual who has never admitted any liability for his heinous crimes.”
He continued: “The judge handed him a significant custodial sentence in response to this and I am pleased he will no longer pose a risk to children whilst incarcerated.”
