Convicted sex offender posed as film maker looking for child actors

A court has issued an order prohibiting a convicted sex offender from using social networking websites or posing as a film maker looking for child models.

The 39-year-old man has also been ordered not to have any contact via telecommunications or computer with any child under the age of 18.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the man, who cannot be named because of upcoming charges, was inviting boys to his home under the pretence of making films.

Vincent Heneghan BL, counsel for the Chief State Solicitors Office who brought the application, told Judge Martin Nolan that since the man’s release from prison for possession of child pornography he has used Facebook and other websites to build up relationships with boys as young as 12.

Mr Heneghan said that an affidavit from Garda Chief Superintendent Declan Coburn detailed how the man had invited some of these boys to his home under the pretence of making films.

The court heard that he had asked one boy to dress up in a football kit.

Mr Heneghan said the man is facing a charge of buggery of a 16-year-old-boy and is awaiting sentence for the sexual assault of another young boy.

He also has one previous conviction in Ireland for the possession of child pornography and two convictions in Wales for possession of child pornographic images.

The order was sought today under section 16 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 which allows for post conviction orders to be imposed if the court considers them necessary to protect the public from serious harm.

Counsel said the man has a history of claiming to be involved in the production of films and that as far back as 1999 he had set up a child acting agency in Kerry.

The court also ordered the man not to communicate or discuss Asperger’s Syndrome with any group or social networks.

It further prohibits him from having any contact with children, from using any alias and from making or creating any photographic images of children or looking at images of children naked or in their undergarments.

The 2001 Act allows for the court order to be imposed Ex Parte (in the absence of the respondent). The respondent is then notified and can come to court if he wishes to contest the order.

The order will begin once the respondent is notified and will stay in existence for a period of five years.