Ireland Man sentenced for child pornography and sexual exploitation in Dublin
Ioan Ovidiu, a 54-year-old man, contacted a woman on the Fastmeet dating site in May 2018 who was a member of a volunteer group targeting online predators. The person behind the profile told Ovidiu she was 14 and they arranged to meet at a supermarket in Mulhuddart, Dublin on 27 May 2018, where a crowd restrained him and live-streamed the confrontation. Ovidiu cooperated with gardaí and pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and attempting to communicate with a child to facilitate sexual exploitation. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, backdated to 23 March 2021, with the judge noting no child was present and no sexual activity took place.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ioan Ovidiu, a 54-year-old man, contacted a woman on the Fastmeet dating site in May 2018 who was a member of a volunteer group targeting online predators.
- The person behind the profile told Ovidiu she was a 14-year-old girl and sent a head-and-shoulders photograph of a teenager.
- A crowd restrained Ovidiu while others videotaped and live-streamed the confrontation to social media.
- Where
- The two arranged to meet at a supermarket in Mulhuddart, Dublin on 27 May 2018.
- Investigation
- Ovidiu cooperated with gardaí and handed over his phone.
- Charges
- Ovidiu pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
- Ovidiu admitted attempting to communicate with a child to facilitate sexual exploitation on dates between 20 and 27 May 2018.
- In court
- Judge Nolan noted no child was present and no sexual activity took place, and defence counsel Seamus Clarke SC described the situation as a type of entrapment.
- Sentence
- An 18-month prison term was imposed, backdated to 23 March 2021 when Ovidiu first went into custody.
- Other details
- Ovidiu had no prior convictions.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatIoan Ovidiu initiated contact with a person identified as an 18-year-old woman on the Fastmeet dating site in May 2018. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe person behind the fake profile was a member of a volunteer group whose purpose was to locate online predators grooming underage children. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe person behind the profile told Ovidiu she was actually a 14-year-old girl and sent a head and shoulders photograph of a teenager. (thejournal.ie)
- whatSome members of the crowd restrained Ovidiu while others videotaped and live-streamed the confrontation to social media. (thejournal.ie)
- whereAn arrangement was made to meet at a supermarket in Mulhuddart, Dublin on 27 May. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationOvidiu co-operated with gardaí and handed over his phone. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeOvidiu pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at Blakestown Way, Mulhuddart on 27 May. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeOvidiu admitted attempting to communicate with a child to facilitate sexual exploitation on dates between May 20 and 27, 2018. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Nolan noted there was no child involved and no sexual activity took place. (thejournal.ie)
- courtDefence counsel Seamus Clarke SC described the situation as a type of entrapment. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceAn 18-month prison term was imposed, backdated to 23 March 2021 when Ovidiu first went into custody. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Oct2021Man caught trying to meet child for sex after replying to fake dating profile, court hears
Sentencing details: 18-month prison term backdated to 23 March 2021; defence argued entrapment; judge noted no actual child was present and no sexual activity occurred; Ovidiu had no prior convictions.
convicted, Ioan Ovidiu, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ioan Ovidiu