A West Lothian mum whose daughter took her own life after years of abuse from her father is ‘disgusted’ after discovering he is up for parole.
Megan Reid, from Livingston, was just 17-years-old when she died on April 5, 2022. Two years earlier, her father Joseph McGinn was convicted of sexually assaulting her.
Megan’s mum, Gemma McKeown, told the Daily Record that McGinn’s abuse left Megan so ‘broken’ that she was never able to come to terms with what had happened. Ten months on from losing her daughter, Gemma, 34, has been shocked to learn McGinn could be up for parole as early as February.
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After finding out the news from another of his victims, Gemma told the Record: “I feel absolutely disgusted.
“I’m angry, I’m sad and I feel let down. I’ve been through so much hell with him.
"My daughter took her own life because of him. I’m scared because when he gets out, I’m worried about what he might do.”
McGinn’s abuse began in 2008, when Megan was just four years old. It wasn’t until she was 13 that the teen finally revealed the awful truth to her mother, on Mother’s Day 2018.
He was then found guilty of sexually assaulting Megan at Glasgow High Court on October 17, 2019, and sentenced to 10 years. Though due to serve seven years, he is now up for automatic parole after less than four years.
Gemma described her daughter as a ‘bright, bubbly and intelligent’ child who was her ‘best pal’. She now feels ‘failed’ by the justice system.
She added: “Him getting out basically shows me that it doesn’t matter what perpetrators do to people that have been sexually abused.
“I shouldn’t be hearing through a third party about him being up for parole. I should have a right to know what is happening.
“It feels like Meghan’s life meant nothing. I feel failed by the system.
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Tragic Megan begged her mum not to blame herself for the abuse she suffered in her final words, penned in a heartbreaking suicide note.
Gemma said: "Megan had so much to live for and more support than she could ever have imagined. I always wanted her to be open about her mental health and told her we could get through it together. Sadly it wasn't enough but I want to help prevent other people from going through the same as her.
"My advice is that you're never alone, please always speak up, go to someone and someone will listen."
Gemma has now started a peer support group called Mog's World as a way to harness her grief and raise awareness for suicide prevention, which has attracted 200 members in just one month.
Gemma added: "I've been working so hard to raise awareness since Megan's death. Mog's World gives people a chance to speak about how they have been affected by suicide.
"We're trying to build a community for people in grief, and it's working. I'm broken, but I'm trying to make a difference and to bring some positivity back into my life."
The Parole Board for Scotland say they cannot comment on individual cases.
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