Thursday 5 November 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. 30162Sexual activity with a child; offensive sexual behaviour (voyeurism); sexual intercourse with a prostitute · Co. Cork · 1 Sep 2018

Man jailed for sexual activity with a child in Cork

Garfield Ebbs, a 46-year-old man, pleaded guilty to 22 sexual offences including engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy on the south side of Cork city between September 2018 and May 2019. He also filmed three unknown males in toilet cubicles at a computer firm, Cork Airport, and Blackpool Shopping Centre, and had sex with a prostitute in January 2020. The initial complaint was made by the boy's mother, and Gardaí seized computer items and mobile phones from Ebbs. At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Sean O'Donnabhain jailed Ebbs for three years, suspending the last year, and fined him €300 for the prostitute charge.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Garfield Ebbs pleaded guilty to 22 sexual offences including engaging in sexual activity with a child.
  • He engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy between September 2018 and May 2019 on the south side of Cork city, having made contact via a social networking app.
  • He filmed three unknown males in toilet cubicles with his mobile phone on three occasions at a computer firm in Cork city, Cork Airport, and Blackpool Shopping Centre.
  • He had sex with a prostitute on 7 January 2020 at Kilbarry Industrial Estate, Dublin Hill, Cork.
Investigation
The initial complaint was made by the mother of the 15-year-old boy, and Gardaí seized computer items and mobile phones from Ebbs.
Charges
The sexual activity with a child charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Law (Sex Offences) Act 2017.
In court
The case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and was not paid for by legal aid because Ebbs had a large salary when first charged.
Sentence
Judge Sean O'Donnabhain jailed Ebbs for three years, suspending the last year, and fined him €300 for the prostitute charge.
Other details
  • Ebbs had one previous conviction from 2000, a suspended sentence for assault causing harm.
  • The videos were made for Ebbs's personal gratification and were never put on the internet.
  • Ebbs was married when the offence came to light but is now divorced and lost his job and home.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGarfield Ebbs pleaded guilty to 22 sexual offences including engaging in sexual activity with a child. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHe engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy between September 2018 and May 2019 on the south side of Cork city. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHe made contact with the teenage victim on a social networking app. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHe had sex with a prostitute on 7 January 2020 at Kilbarry Industrial Estate, Dublin Hill, Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHe filmed three unknown males in toilet cubicles with his mobile phone on three occasions and stored the videos on his phone. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe filming offences took place at a computer firm in Cork city, Cork Airport, and Blackpool Shopping Centre. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationThe initial complaint was made by the mother of the 15-year-old boy. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized computer items and mobile phones from Ebbs, some of which are being wiped for donation to Barnardos and the Garda Cyber Crime Unit. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeThe sexual activity with a child charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Law (Sex Offences) Act 2017. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe case was not paid for by legal aid because Ebbs had a large salary when first charged. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Sean O'Donnabhain jailed Ebbs for three years, suspending the last year of the sentence. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceEbbs will be under the care of the Probation Service for two years after release from custody. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €300 was handed down for the charge of engaging with a prostitute. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherEbbs had one previous conviction from 2000, a suspended sentence for assault causing harm. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherEbbs was married when the offence came to light but is now divorced and lost his job and home. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe videos were made for Ebbs's personal gratification and were never put on the internet. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe teenage victim stated he was still being bullied and felt ashamed and disgusted. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherEbbs had asked the victim to find other young people like him. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherEbbs had a highly paid tech job which he lost when the allegations came to light. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Sep2021
    Sentencedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Cork man Man jailed for having sex with 15-year-old and filming men in toilets

    Sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court; guilty plea spared the teenage victim from giving evidence. Judge O'Donnabhain described it as a 'bizarre and upsetting case.'

    convicted, Garfield Ebbs, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garfield Ebbsvictim, 15, malevictim, malevictim, female