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. 2143Inciting rape, endangerment (impersonation), possession of child sexual abuse material · Co. Clare

Garda Shane Flanagan pleads guilty to inciting two men to rape woman and impersonating her online

Shane Flanagan, 39, a Garda with an address in Co. Clare, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of inciting two men to rape a woman between November and December 2020, six counts of endangerment for impersonating the woman on Facebook and fetlife.com, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. He was remanded on continuing bail until June for sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Mar
  5. Convicted7 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatShane Flanagan, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting two men to rape a woman. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlanagan pleaded guilty to six counts of endangerment for impersonating the woman in Facebook communications and on fetlife.com. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe impersonation invited persons unknown to visit violence upon the woman and two others, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlanagan pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused is a garda (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe endangerment involved impersonating the woman in Facebook communications and on the website fetlife.com (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe communications invited persons unknown to visit violence upon the woman and two others (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe communications created a substantial risk of death or serious harm (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFlanagan has an address in Co. Clare. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe inciting to rape occurred on dates between November and December 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe endangerment counts relate to dates between 2018 and 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe child sexual abuse material was possessed on January 7, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incitement to rape occurred on dates between November and December 2020 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe endangerment offences occurred on dates between 2018 and 2020 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe child abuse material was possessed on January 7, 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFlanagan pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting two men to rape a woman (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFlanagan pleaded guilty to six counts of endangerment (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe plea was entered at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul McDermott directed the preparation of victim impact reports. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtA defence application to extend legal aid for the preparation of a psychological report was granted. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFlanagan was remanded on continuing bail until June for sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFlanagan pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA defence application to extend legal aid for a psychological report was granted (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA probation report was requested (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFlanagan was remanded on continuing bail in advance of sentencing in June (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAnne-Marie Lawlor SC is prosecuting (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim wishes to maintain her anonymity but has no difficulty with Flanagan being identified. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAnne-Marie Lawlor SC was prosecuting. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim wishes to maintain her anonymity (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Mar2025
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Garda pleads guilty to impersonating woman online and inciting two men to rape her

    Reports the guilty plea at Central Criminal Court, the specific charges, the judge's directions for victim impact and probation reports, and the remand on continuing bail ahead of June sentencing.

    accused, Shane Flanagan, 39, male, Irish, named, irishShane Flanaganvictim, femalesuspect, malesuspect, male
  2. 7 Mar2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Garda guilty of inciting two men to rape woman and of impersonating her online

    First report of Flanagan's guilty plea at the Central Criminal Court; remanded on continuing bail until June for sentence.

    accused, Shane Flanagan, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Flanaganvictim, femaleaccused, maleaccused, male