Ireland Convicted sex offender sent sexual messages to teenagers after prison release, Cork court hears
Anthony Quigley, a 51-year-old man from Mitchelstown, Co Cork, who was a convicted sex offender, sent sexual messages to two 16-year-old children, a girl and a boy, in February and September 2025. The Snapchat message to the girl was sent at 2.02pm on 17 September 2025, about three hours after Quigley was released from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, and the WhatsApp messages to the boy were sent between 10 and 15 February 2025. Gardaí detained Quigley for questioning after the offending was brought to their attention. At Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 26 February 2026, the judge refused bail and ordered an updated psychiatric report and probation report, and the latest development is that Quigley was remanded in custody for sentencing on 28 April 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Quigley sent a lewd message to a 16-year-old schoolgirl on Snapchat within three hours of his release from prison.
- Quigley sent a 16-year-old girl song lyrics that he had altered to make them sexual.
- Quigley used WhatsApp to send a 16-year-old autistic boy a picture of his penis and two memes of adult porn.
- Other details
- Quigley admitted using a Snapchat account under the name Susie as a decoy.
- A total of 214 messages were exchanged between Quigley and the boy, 84 of them sent by Quigley.
- When
- Quigley was released from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise at 10.50am on 17 September 2025.
- Quigley sent the Snapchat message at 2.02pm on 17 September 2025 after arriving in Mitchelstown.
- The WhatsApp offending took place between 10 and 15 February 2025, shortly before Quigley went to jail on another offence.
- Where
- Quigley is from Roches Heights, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, and the case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
- Investigation
- The offending was brought to the attention of gardaí, and Quigley was detained for questioning.
- In court
- At the time of the offending Quigley was under a ban from contacting any child under 18 or going within 50 metres of a school.
- The defence said Quigley had made full admissions in relation to his offending behaviour.
- On 26 February 2026 the judge refused bail and ordered an updated psychiatric report and probation report.
- Sentence
- Quigley was remanded in custody for sentencing on 28 April 2026.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatQuigley sent a lewd message to a schoolgirl on Snapchat within three hours of his release from prison. (rte.ie)
- whatQuigley sent the 16-year-old girl song lyrics that he had altered to make them sexual. (rte.ie)
- whatQuigley used WhatsApp to send a 16-year-old autistic boy a picture of his penis and two memes of adult porn. (rte.ie)
- whenQuigley was released from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise at 10.50am on 17 September 2025. (rte.ie)
- whenAt 2.02pm Quigley sent a Snapchat message to a 16-year-old student in a Cork town. (rte.ie)
- whenThe WhatsApp offending took place between 10 and 15 February 2025, shortly before Quigley went to jail on another offence. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe offence was brought to the attention of gardaí and Quigley was detained for questioning. (rte.ie)
- courtAt the time of the offence Quigley was under a ban from contacting any child under 18 or going within 50 metres of a school. (rte.ie)
- courtThe defence said Quigley had made full admissions in relation to his offending behaviour. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge ordered an updated psychiatric report and probation report. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge refused bail and said there was no question of Quigley getting out on bail. (rte.ie)
- sentenceQuigley was remanded in custody for sentencing on 28 April 2026. (rte.ie)
- otherQuigley admitted using the Snapchat name Susie as a decoy. (rte.ie)
- otherA total of 214 messages were exchanged between Quigley and the boy, 84 of them sent by Quigley. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Feb2026Sex offender sent lewd text to teen after prison release
Court hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court: evidence on the Snapchat offence and earlier WhatsApp offences, bail refused, sentencing set for 28 April.
accused, Anthony Quigley, 51, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Quigleyvictim, 16, femalevictim, 16, male