‘Paedo hunter’ breaches bail by using Whatsapp
Cerebral palsy sufferer, 23, on hopes for US treatment
George Keenan AN alleged paedophile hunter has been remanded back into custody after flouting a ban on accessing social media platforms.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard George Keenan breached bail conditions within 24 hours of being released on charges of targeting suspected sex offenders.
The 34-year-old used Whatsapp – despite being restricted to a mobile phone capable of just voice calls and simple text messages.
A defence lawyer said it had been a “silly and stupid mistake” for which Keenan apologised.
“He’s a man of low intelligence,” the lawyer added. Opposing renewed bail, police claimed A YOUNG woman battling a rare form of cerebral palsy is hoping to raise €100,000 to stop her being wheelchair-bound for life.
Kate O’sullivan, who is in constant pain, will lose the ability to walk due to the fact the tightness in her legs is increasing.
The 23-year-old’s abnormal gait pattern has deteriorated further and she is suffering from falls and sleepless nights.
The Keep Kate Walking bid aims to bring her to the US for a life-changing procedure known as Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy which will eliminate the form of the condition she has – Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy.
And she hopes it will mean she can achieve her dream of working in forensic science for An Garda Siochana.
Kate, from Co Limerick, said: “What the surgery will do is permanently reduce the spasticity [muscle stiffening] associated with cerebral palsy by cutting the sensory nerves in my spine which are sending the wrong signals from my brain through to the muscles in my legs.
“The muscles cannot function with the signals going from my brain through my spinal cord into my legs.”
Asked how she feels if she were not able to do this, Kate admitted: “I’ve not really contemplated it. I’m trying to remain positive.”
Having been born three-and-a-half months early, weighing just two pounds and able to fit into the palm of her father’s hand, Kate has been battling all her life.
She said: “I spent the first five months of my life in the neo-natal intensive care unit.
“Initially they felt I wasn’t going to survive as I was so premature.”
And Kate has not let her condition stop her after completing a four-year course in chemistry and forensic sciences at Cork University.
The surgery will need to be followed up with two years of intensive physio and Kate is already almost €20,000 towards her €100,000 goal.
■ For more information on the campaign visit www.keepkatewalking.com or call Paul at 085 8685374.
LIMERICK YESTERDAY
I spent the first five months of my life in the ICU. They felt I’d die
KATE O’SULLIVAN
Keenan has ignored previous undertakings to stop hunting suspected paedophiles.
Referring to the defendant’s alleged activities, Sergeant Adrian Moutray told the court: “He identifies individuals he disagrees with on the internet, communicates with them and brings them to a location with other like-minded people and uses the internet to humiliate them live online.”
District Judge Fiona Bagnall was told the defendant has publicly stated his intention is to “destroy these individuals’ lives”.
Keenan, from the Dunmurry area of Belfast, is among three alleged paedophile hunters facing a raft of charges in the North.