‘I wish I had gone for counselling or therapy many years ago’
IN a letter handed into Wexford Circuit Court, Eanna McKenna expressed his shame and embarrassment at the offences he had committed.
‘I have made some stupid and bad choices in my life so far and I now face the consequences of my actions. I cannot turn back the clock and undo what I have done. Over the past two years, I have been attending Forensic Psycholigical Services and I have grown up a lot. ‘Once again I apologise profusely for my actions,’ he said. ‘I have learnt that the viewing of Child Sexual Abuse images and videos is not a victimless crime, as if no one looked or shared them, there would be no demand for them.
‘ To think that viewing and sharing these files I have put real children at risk, to be hurt and abused, now causes me great distress and guilt. I am also aware of the distress and embarrassment I have caused my family, friends, employers, choir members, students and the clergy, both Catholic and Church of Ireland.
‘I feel that the Group Therapy sessions have had a massive positive improvement on my development as a person and I hope I will be able to continue to take part in therapy as soon as its possible.
‘I wish I had gone for counselling or therapy many years ago, as if I had, I probably wouldn’t be in a position I now find myself in. Alas I always kept problems to myself and never talked to anyone when stressed or when I felt isolated,’ he added.