Ireland Case No. 4061Sexual abuse (indecent assault) · Co. Dublin
Gordon McKenna, 79, jailed for seven years for sexual abuse of daughter
Gordon McKenna, 79, formerly of Mountmellick, Co Laois, now living in Germany, was sentenced to seven years in prison at the Central Criminal Court on 20 January 2026 after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting his daughter Jane Murray, 55, at various locations between 1977 and 1983.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Jan
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGordon McKenna pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting his daughter at various locations between 1977 and 1983. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcKenna pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting his daughter at various locations (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcKenna left the family home and the abuse came to an end (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Murray said she was abused most days after school (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe abuse took place at the family home in Tallaght, Dublin, on mountain biking trips and at the cinema. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse locations included the family home in Tallaght, Dublin, mountain biking trips, and the cinema (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse occurred on dates between 1977 and 1983 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe abuse came to the attention of gardaí and TUSLA after Ms Murray applied for counselling records in 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe abuse came to the attention of gardaí and Tusla after Ms Murray applied for records of counselling sessions in 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Melanie Greally. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMs Justice Greally imposed concurrent sentences of 16 months for earlier offences and a consecutive term of five years and eight months for later offences, totalling seven years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed concurrent sentences of 16 months for earlier offences and a consecutive term of five years and eight months for later offences (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcKenna had no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcKenna previously denied the charges but pleaded guilty before his trial commenced at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherJane Murray, 55, waived her right to anonymity to allow her father to be named. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcKenna had re-married and moved to Germany before being contacted by gardaí through mutual assistance. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcKenna's wife is receiving palliative care and he acts as her carer in Germany. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA maximum sentence of two years applied to the earlier offences due to the legislation in force at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe later offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years following a change in legislation. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Murray was made to read love letters to her father while she was forced to masturbate him. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcKenna has no previous convictions (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcKenna had previously denied the charges but pleaded guilty before his trial began (irishtimes.com)
- otherJane Murray, 55, waived her right to anonymity to allow naming of her father (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Murray joined the hearing remotely via an audio link (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcKenna had remarried and moved to Germany before gardaí contacted him (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcKenna's wife is receiving palliative care and he cares for her (irishtimes.com)
- otherA maximum sentence of two years applied to earlier incidences due to legislation at the time (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcKenna taught his daughter to control and switch off her emotions and played tricks to scare her (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jan2026Man who told daughter they had ‘special relationship’ jailed for sexual abuse
First report of sentencing. Details the grooming behaviour, the range of abuse locations and dates, the late guilty plea, and the judge's reasoning for the concurrent and consecutive sentences.
victim, Jane Murray, 55, female, irish (judged from name)Jane Murrayconvicted, Gordon McKenna, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gordon McKenna - 20 Jan2026Dad who abused daughter telling her mother would be 'jealous' faces justice
Reports the sentencing of Gordon McKenna at the Central Criminal Court, including details of the abuse, the victim's impact statement, and the judge's reasoning.
victim, Jane Murray, 55, female, irish (judged from name)Jane Murrayconvicted, Gordon McKenna, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gordon McKenna