Ireland Man sentenced for posing as talent agent to exploit children in Galway hotel
On 27 February 2022, a man posing as a talent agent brought a nine-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother to a hotel room at the Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway, where he asked them to lie on a bed and took photos of them. Brendan Clifford, 38, was arrested after the matter was reported to gardaí and later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children under section 3 of the Criminal Law Sexual Offences Act 2017. At Galway Circuit Court, Judge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a four-year prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended on each count, to run concurrently, and barred Clifford from using any laptop or computer capable of downloading child-related material for five years. The sentence was reported on 30 May 2024, the latest development in the case.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man posed as a talent agent to bring two children, a nine-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother, to a hotel room in Galway city.
- The man asked the girl and her brother to lie on a bed and took photos of them.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway.
- When
- The incident took place on 27 February 2022.
- Other details
- The accused, Brendan Clifford, is 38 years old and had a former address at Carman Hall, Dublin 8.
- The judge said Clifford had used the internet to set up the deceit.
- The court heard the offences were committed shortly after Clifford's release from a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
- Clifford is now registered as blind.
- Investigation
- The matter was reported to gardaí and Clifford was arrested.
- Charges
- Clifford pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children under section 3 of the Criminal Law Sexual Offences Act 2017.
- In court
- Clifford was sentenced at Galway Circuit Court by Judge Brian O'Callaghan, as reported on 30 May 2024.
- Sentence
- Clifford was given a four-year prison sentence, with the final 12 months suspended on each count, to run concurrently.
- The suspended final year is subject to Clifford abiding by conditions on his release.
- Clifford was ordered not to use any laptop or computer capable of downloading material related to children for five years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man posed as a child talent agent to bring two children to a hotel room in Galway city. (rte.ie)
- whatThe accused asked a nine-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother to lie on a bed and took photos of them. (rte.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at the Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square, in Galway. (rte.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on 27 February 2022. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe matter was reported to gardaí and Clifford was arrested. (rte.ie)
- chargeClifford pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children under section 3 of the Criminal Law Sexual Offences Act 2017. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a four-year prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended on each count, to run concurrently. (rte.ie)
- sentenceClifford was ordered not to use any laptop or computer capable of downloading material related to children, for five years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe four-year sentence had its final year suspended, subject to Clifford abiding by conditions on his release. (rte.ie)
- otherThe court heard Clifford committed the offences shortly after being released from a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for sexual exploitation and sexual assault. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 May2024Man posed as talent agent to exploit children in Galway
Reports the Galway Circuit Court sentencing of Brendan Clifford for two counts of sexual exploitation of children, with the sentence and conditions imposed.
convicted, Brendan Clifford, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Clifford