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. 12461Sexual exploitation of a child (online communication and travel to meet a child) · Co. Donegal · 15 Jul 2025

Man charged over alleged online communication with child and travel to Letterkenny to meet her

A man in his 20s, in custody since his arrest in Letterkenny in July, has been served a further charge at Letterkenny District Court. He is accused of travelling to Letterkenny to meet a child for sexual exploitation, after allegedly communicating with a child online.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man is in his 20s. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatHe allegedly used Snapchat and WhatsApp to communicate with a child for sexual purposes. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatHe was found in possession of five condoms. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatHe had booked an apartment in Letterkenny for a number of days. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man is charged with communicating with a child for the purpose of facilitating sexual exploitation, using Snapchat and WhatsApp. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe man has an address in the Dublin area. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe second charge concerns travel to Paddy Harte Road, Letterkenny, on July 15 with intent to meet a child. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe man was arrested in the Letterkenny area in July. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe man was charged by detectives in Donegal at 4.07pm on Wednesday, July 16. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationHe has been in custody since being arrested in the Letterkenny area in July. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationDetectives obtained copies of conversations between the man and a fictional child he believed was 13. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged at 4:07pm on Wednesday, July 16. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge covers the period between July 10 and July 15, 2025, for communicating with another person to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child under 17. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to section 8(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe first charge is contrary to Section 8(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe second charge is contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe man appeared at Letterkenny District Court via videolink for DPP directions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGarda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court there are now further charges to be brought. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Eiteain Cunningham found the prosecution established a likelihood of the accused trying to evade justice. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe man has been in custody and has appeared at Letterkenny District Court on a number of occasions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtUnder new law introduced in 2024, persons charged with such offences are entitled to anonymity until convicted. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Ciaran Liddy adjourned the case until October 6 and granted a body warrant. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtSergeant Collins said there were concerns the defendant would attempt to flee the jurisdiction. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtSergeant Collins said there were concerns that if released on bail the man could commit further offences of a similar nature. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe man appeared again at Letterkenny District Court, where a further related charge from the same incident was made against him. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham previously refused bail in the case. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to October 13 for the service of a book of evidence. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe man has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHis client has a first-class honours degree from an Irish university. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherUntil recently the man was in active employment but is now unemployed. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe man is being held at Castlerea Prison and cannot be named for legal reasons. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Oct2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man charged with travelling to Donegal for sexual exploitation of child

    Reports a further charge against the accused, under Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, made at Letterkenny District Court. Also reports that the court was told he would not seek bail, and that the case was adjourned to 13 October for a book of evidence.

    accused, 20s, male
  2. 25 Sep2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man who contacted a child for sexual purposes in Donegal to face further charges

    Further charges to be brought; case adjourned to 6 October 2025 with body warrant; details of original charge, bail application and evidence provided.

    victim, 13, femalesuspect, 20s, male