April 2004

Convicted paedophile showed boy gay porn

A FORMER schoolteacher from Dublin was jailed for 12 months in Britain yesterday for trapping a 14-year-old boy in his hotel room in London and stripping him naked.

Eamonn McDonnell (47) befriended the boy and coaxed him into his room with thepromise of cigarettes before kicking the door shut and showing him gay pornography.

Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court heard how McDonnell was released from prison in 1997 after abusing a number of boys (at least 18) at his old school in Omagh, Co Tyrone, over a four-year period.

The court heard how the Danish teenager was visiting England while on tour with his boxing club.

The group checked into the Redland House Hotel, Hyde Park, central London, and the boy, along with two friends, stayed in a room next door to the convicted paedophile.

McDonnell was visiting London on a trip from Dublin when he spotted the boys in their underwear on their way to the shared bathroom.

Sending him back to jail for 12 months, Judge Derrick Inman said: “You became sexuallyattracted to this boy and engaged him in conversation. You pestered him into your roomand closed the door behind him.

“His friends called for help, which soon arrived – therefore probably stopping furthersexual activity,” the judge said.

“The boy must have been very upset, it must have been an extremely upsetting andfrightening experience for him.”

McDonnell’s last address was at his brother’s home in Marnham Court, Greenford, Middlesex.

June 1996

Teacher preyed on boys

A primary teacher was jailed for three years yesterday for indecently assaulting boys aged seven to 11. 

Eamon McDonnell, who admitted 39 sex offences against 18 pupils, was told by Judge David Smith at Enniskillen: “You were in a position of trust. 

“These children must have felt isolated, betrayed and stigmatised, even subjected to bullying.” The court heard that McDonnell, a 39-year-old married man, attacked the boys in class or in a store. But he had lured one boy to his home. 

Eugene Grant, defending, said McDonnell’s marriage was on the rocks and his life was ruined. 

“He has had to move 10 times in the last year. He needs help,” he said.