Thursday 29 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. 10217Child sexual exploitation offences under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 · Co. Westmeath

Former OPW worker pleads guilty to child sexual offences in Westmeath

Kevin Smyth (58), of Dublin Road, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, a former OPW worker, sent sexualised messages to an undercover PSNI officer posing as a 13-year-old girl named Jess, under the username 'Older Guy'. The PSNI passed an intelligence pack about the user to gardaí, who identified Smyth; he first claimed he did not know it was a child. He pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to four offences under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, including attempting to invite a child to sexual touching on 30 June. He is due to be sentenced in May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted1 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Kevin Smyth, 58, a former OPW worker, sent sexualised messages to a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl named Jess.
  • The person Smyth messaged was an undercover PSNI officer posing as a 13-year-old girl, not a real child.
Where
Smyth lives on Dublin Road, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath.
When
One offence, attempting to invite a child to sexual touching, was committed on 30 June.
Investigation
  • The PSNI sent an intelligence pack to gardaí about a user on chatrooms and social media apps.
  • After gardaí identified him, Smyth first claimed he did not know it was a child.
Charges
  • Smyth admitted attempting to use Skype and WhatsApp to facilitate child sexual exploitation.
  • Smyth pleaded guilty to attempting to invite a child to sexual touching on 30 June.
In court
  • Smyth pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to four offences under the 2017 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act.
  • The court found that Smyth needed specialised counselling.
Sentence
Smyth is due to be sentenced in May 2026.
Other details
  • Smyth had no prior convictions, according to his defence counsel.
  • A psychological report found the offence stemmed from sexual addiction issues.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereKevin Smyth lives on Dublin Road, Castlepollard. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe PSNI sent an intelligence pack to gardaí about a specific user on chatrooms and social media apps. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationAfter gardaí identified him, Smyth first claimed he did not know it was a child. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeSmyth admitted attempting to use Skype and WhatsApp to facilitate child sexual exploitation. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeSmyth pleaded guilty to attempting to invite a child to sexual touching on 30 June. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtSmyth pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to four offences under the 2017 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court found that Smyth needed specialised counselling. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceSmyth will be sentenced in May. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherSmyth had no prior convictions, according to his defence counsel. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherA psychological report found the offence stemmed from sexual addiction issues. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Apr2026
    Convictedthejournal.ie, first report
    Former OPW worker sent sexualised messages to undercover PSNI officer posing as 13-year-old girl

    Guilty plea at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court; sentencing due in May 2026. Offences were made against an undercover PSNI operative posing as a 13-year-old girl.

    convicted, Kevin Smyth, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin Smyth