Man charged with paying a child for sexual exploitation in Cork yet to decide plea

He is also charged with communicating by WhatsApp to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child under 17

Sergeant David Fleming said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case would be dealt with by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. File picture: Larry Cummins

A 53-year-old man who was brought before Cork District Court charged with paying a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation will be back in court on November 10 for the accused to consider if he will be signing a plea of guilty or if a book of evidence will be needed.

Solicitor Thomas Coughlan asked for further time for this matter to be considered and Judge David Waters agreed to the adjournment for that purpose.

When Detective Garda Sheila O’Brien charged the defendant, he replied after caution: “No comment at this time”.

The charge states that on a date unknown between November 2019 and February 2021, he did pay a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

He is charged that in a similar period he communicated by WhatsApp to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child under 17.

A third charge states that on May 21, 2021, he distributed one video containing child pornography.

He was charged with three separate counts related to the same date, September 3, 2021, of possession of child pornography.

Det. Garda O’Brien said there was no objection to bail on conditions, including that he sign once a week at his local garda station and have no contact directly or indirectly with the injured party.

Sergeant David Fleming said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case would be dealt with by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

There is a prohibition against identification of parties to the case.