Friday 30 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. 15543Child sex offences (attempted facilitation of sexual exploitation of a child) · Co. Donegal

Ramelton man jailed for attempting to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child

Joseph Coyle, a 41-year-old man from Castle Street, Ramelton, was caught in a garda sting operation in 2020, when an undercover officer posing as a 12-year-old child detected him trying to induce a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences are alleged to have been committed between 10 and 16 November 2020. Coyle pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to attempting to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child under 17, to using information and communication technology in that attempt, and to attempting to cause a child under 17 to watch sexual activity. He was reported on 8 November 2024 as jailed for two years, with the final two years of four-year sentences on each count suspended, and he will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and under two years of Probation Service supervision.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Other details
  • Joseph Coyle is a 41-year-old man from Castle Street, Ramelton, County Donegal.
  • The interaction ended with Coyle asking to have sexual intercourse.
  • The Probation Service assessed Coyle as being of medium risk of reoffending.
What happened
Coyle pleaded guilty to using information and communication technology in an attempt to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child.
Where
The case was heard at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
When
  • Gardaí caught Coyle in a sting operation in 2020.
  • The offences are alleged to have been committed on a date between 10 and 16 November 2020.
Investigation
Coyle was detected by an undercover officer pretending to be a 12-year-old child.
Charges
  • Coyle pleaded guilty to attempting to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child under 17 by inducing or coercing the child to engage in sexual activity.
  • Coyle also pleaded guilty to attempting to cause a child under 17 to watch another person engage in sexual activity.
In court
Judge John Aylmer said each offence merited a starting point of five years' imprisonment.
Sentence
  • The sentences were reduced to four years on each count, with the final two years suspended, and one report describes the sentence as jailed for two years.
  • Coyle will be under Probation Service supervision for two years after his sentence.
  • Coyle will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCoyle pleaded guilty to using information and communication technology in an attempt to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí caught Coyle in a sting operation in 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe charge covers a date between 10 and 16 November 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationCoyle was detected by an undercover officer pretending to be a 12-year-old child. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCoyle pleaded guilty to attempting to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child under 17 by inducing or coercing the child to engage in sexual activity. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCoyle also pleaded guilty to attempting to cause a child under 17 to watch another person engage in sexual activity. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge John Aylmer said each offence merited a starting point of five years' imprisonment. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were reduced to four years on each count, with the final two years suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceCoyle will be under Probation Service supervision for two years after his sentence. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceCoyle will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe interaction ended with Coyle asking to have sexual intercourse. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe Probation Service assessed Coyle as being of medium risk of reoffending. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Nov2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Ramelton man jailed for child sex offences

    Reports the guilty pleas and sentence at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The offences were committed between 10 and 16 November 2020, and Coyle was detected in a garda sting operation.

    convicted, Joseph Coyle, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Coyle