Ireland Former swimming coach pleads guilty to sexual exploitation of three girls and child pornography offences
Matthew Coward, a 32-year-old former swimming coach, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual exploitation of three girls and producing child pornography, for offences committed between September 1st, 2021, and February 26th, 2022. One girl told her father she thought she had been recorded while changing into her swimwear, and Swim Ireland then contacted Tusla and the gardaí. Coward was arrested on May 3rd, 2022, and nearly 80 videos were found on electronic devices, two of which were categorised as child abuse material. He entered guilty pleas in November 2023, and the judge remanded him on continuing bail and adjourned the case for finalisation to November 21st.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted10 Nov
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Coward, 32, a former swimming coach, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and producing child abuse material.
- Where
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- When
- The offences were committed between September 1st, 2021, and February 26th, 2022.
- Other details
- The victims are three girls, and their ages are not given.
- Coward has one previous conviction.
- Cause
- One girl told her father she thought she had been recorded while changing into her swimwear.
- Investigation
- Swim Ireland contacted Tusla and the gardaí after speaking with the father of the first victim.
- Coward was arrested on May 3rd, 2022, for child exploitation.
- Nearly 80 videos were found on electronic devices, two of which were categorised as child abuse material.
- Charges
- Coward pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of three girls.
- Coward pleaded guilty to a number of counts of production of child pornography.
- In court
- Victim impact statements were read to the court.
- The judge remanded Coward on continuing bail and adjourned the case for finalisation to November 21st.
- Sentence
- The maximum sentence for child exploitation is life in prison.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA former swimming coach pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and producing child abuse material. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences were committed on dates between September 1st, 2021, and February 26th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeOne girl told her father she thought she had been recorded while changing into her swimwear. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSwim Ireland contacted Tusla and the gardaí after speaking with the father of the first victim. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCoward was arrested on May 3rd, 2022, for child exploitation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNearly 80 videos were found on the electronic devices, two of which were categorised as child abuse material. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCoward pleaded guilty to three counts of the sexual exploitation of three girls. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCoward pleaded guilty to a number of counts of production of child pornography. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge remanded Coward on continuing bail and adjourned the case for finalisation to November 21st. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe maximum sentence for child exploitation is life in prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCoward has one previous conviction. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Nov2023Former swimming coach recorded children changing at pool, court told
Guilty plea entered; sentencing adjourned to November 21st. Details of the girls' complaint, the seized devices and the investigation are given, along with victim impact statements read to the court.
convicted, Matthew Coward, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cowardvictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, female