Paedophile hunters: Do vigilante groups help convict child sex offenders?

Alex Cunningham speaks to paedophile hunters, experts and gardaí about their methods and the questions surrounding their work

Paedophile hunters: Alex Cunningham on how vigilante groups operate

In 2023, Cork man Tim Bowen was caught by a vigilante paedophile-hunting group when he turned up at a café expecting to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. He was later convicted in connection with the incident.

Former RTÉ producer Kieran Creaven was also caught by a vigilante group after contacting someone he believed to be a child online, and was later convicted.

However, the methods used by some of these groups have raised concerns about the presumption of innocence, due process and human rights.

In Monday’s Irish Examiner, reporter Alex Cunningham met some of those involved in paedophile hunting. He also spoke to experts and gardaí about how the groups operate – and whether what they do helps or hinders the conviction of child sex offenders.

Alex joins the Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast for today’s episode.