Child abuser is sent to prison

The Court of Appeal imposed the prison term on John William McConaghy, 67, on Friday last after ruling the original two-and-a-half year suspended sentence was too lenient.

Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: "There was a campaign in relation to this victim, waged over a long period of time when she was a young child, and she had to endure giving evidence."

McConaghy, also known as Jack, was convicted of 20 counts of indecent assault on the girl over an eight year period during the 1970s-1980s.

The former church leader, from Urbal Road, Dervock, Co Antrim, was found guilty last year, but the trial judge decided against immediate custody due to his "precarious" state of health.

His obesity, diabetes, ulcerated legs and MRSA infection were held to be exceptional circumstances.

Lawyers for the Attorney General challenged the sentence - which also included a 10,000 fine - by arguing it was wrong to suspend the jail term.

Gerry Simpson QC set out four aggravating factors: the age of the victim; the length of time she was abused over; McConaghy's position of trust; and the fact he contested the case at trial.

The court heard how the victim was preyed upon after her parents became friendly with McConaghy.

Mr Simpson detailed her evidence of being touched and fondled during trips in his car and at her home when no-one else was around.

At times the assaults were almost daily, with the victim accepting them as the norm and "a way of life".

McConaghy was said to have warned the girl her mother and father would not believe her if she told them what was going on.

She also recalled: "Jack would often tell me my parents didn't love me, that they didn't care.""

The offending ended when she was 18 and struck back on one occasion by scratching his face with her nails.

As a result of what she was subjected to the victim retreated into herself, struggled to form relationships and her schoolwork suffered.

Alan Kane QC, for McConaghy, urged the court not to interfere with the original sentence imposed on his client.

He said: "If one reads the medical reports it could be said that the respondent is in a large measure a prisoner in his own home.

"He receives medical attention, but really over and above that he is essentially stuck to his own home and he spends 21 hours a day in a chair.

"It could well be said in this case his own health conditions have visited upon him a justice already."

But after prison authorities confirmed they could cope with McConaghy's needs, the three-judge panel ruled the abuse merited a period of immediate custody.

Sir Declan noted: "He used his considerable bulk and strength in order to impose himself upon this unfortunate victim."

It was decided that McConaghy's two-and-a-half year suspended term should be changed to a total of 12 months behind bars.

With prison staff requiring some time to prepare for his arrival, he was ordered to turn up at the jail by 10am on March 15. His 10,000 fine was also left in place.