Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6563Harassment (online) · Co. Dublin · 12 Aug 2019

Former League of Ireland footballer jailed over online harassment of man

Between August 2019 and August 2020, Rodney de Khors, a 54-year-old man and former League of Ireland footballer, harassed a man he had never met on Twitter at the request of a woman he had befriended online, labelling him a sexual deviant, predator and paedophile and posting doctored images of him. Gardaí linked an account used in the harassment to him, and he pleaded guilty to one count of harassing the man. In February 2024, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court imposed a three-year sentence with the final 20 months suspended, meaning he was jailed for 16 months.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A former League of Ireland footballer harassed a man he had never met on behalf of a woman he had befriended online.
  • He posted messages on Twitter labelling the man a sexual deviant, predator and paedophile, and posted doctored images of him.
  • He tagged the man's employer in numerous posts.
Cause
The woman told him the victim was not giving her adequate child support.
When
The harassment ran from August 12th, 2019 to August 31st, 2020.
Where
The harassment took place online, and the case was heard in Dublin.
Investigation
Gardaí linked an account used in the harassment to the accused.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to one count of harassing the man.
In court
Sentence was handed down at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge described the campaign as a vilification campaign on social media.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed three years with the final 20 months suspended on conditions, and he was jailed for 16 months.
  • The judge agreed that psychiatric care should be made available to him in custody.
Other details
  • He has no previous convictions, and a psychological report states he is struggling with acute mental health difficulties.
  • The victim said the harassment caused extreme anxiety, depression, PTSD and a fear of social encounters, and that he had to change career.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA former professional footballer harassed a man he had never met on behalf of a woman he had befriended online. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused posted messages on Twitter labelling the man a sexual deviant, predator and paedophile. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe woman told the accused that the victim was not giving her adequate child support. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí linked an account used in the harassment to the accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to one count of harassing the man between August 12th, 2019 and August 31st, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentence was handed down at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge described the campaign as a vilification campaign on social media. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a sentence of three years with the final 20 months suspended on conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge agreed that psychiatric care should be made available to the accused in custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA psychological report stated the accused is struggling with acute mental health difficulties. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim said the harassment caused extreme anxiety, depression, PTSD and a fear of social encounters. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim said he had to change career because of the harassment. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Former League of Ireland footballer jailed for 16 months for harassing man at behest of woman he met online

    Sentencing report: details the sentence, the guilty plea, the victim impact statement, the mitigation and the online account linked to the accused.

    convicted, Rodney de Khors, 54, male, namedRodney de Khorsvictim, male