Limerick man who engaged in sexual act with baby boy is 'disgusting, creepy human'

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A MAN ENGAGING in a sexual act with an infant and uploading videos and images of the child abuse “has particularly gross aspects” and is “very, very disturbing”, a court has heard. 

The mother of the baby boy, who had just turned one-year-old, told reporters after the evidence was heard on Thursday afternoon (yesterday) that the perpetrator is a “horrible, disgusting, creepy human”. The judge is due to give his verdict this Friday.

The accused man, aged in his 30s who is from Limerick, pleaded guilty to five charges - engaging in a sexual act with a child under the age of 15, possession of child pornography, knowingly distributing child pornography, knowingly producing child pornography and use of information and communication technology to facilitate sexual exploitation of child.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda John O’Neill.

Mr O’Sullivan said there are “particularly gross aspects of the case”. Judge Tom O’Donnell made an order that the case at Limerick Circuit Court be heard in camera and that nobody be identified “at the moment”.

Mr O’Sullivan said that in early 2021,The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in America contacted the Garda Online Child Exploitation Unit over images and videos uploaded to Kik, an instant messaging mobile app. Kik had contacted the NCMEC in relation to a username entitled honda22civic.

“They were of an adult with an Irish accent holding a young infant while carrying out a sex act near the infant. Distinctive tattoos were on the defendant’s forearm. The internet protocol was provided which was hosted by Virgin Media and linked to the defendant’s home address in Limerick,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Gardai identified the accused man from photos on social media that showed his tattoos. On January 17, 2021, his home was searched and photographs taken of a bedroom which became “apparent” was the bedroom in the videos and photos.

Mobile phones and baby grows were seized which were identical to the clothes the child was wearing in the child abuse images, said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecuting barrister said the child’s mother had no reason to believe anything untoward was occurring.

Mr O’Sullivan said there were 17 files - 15 videos and two images - of child abuse uploaded to Kik. Some of them related to images obtained from unidentified parties.

Limerick Live has taken the decision not to report on the exact details of the offences committed against the infant -  which were heard in court - due to their disturbing nature.

The court heard the defendant sent the mother of the infant a letter from Limerick Prison in which he said he was sorry for what he had done. He wrote that he was “on stuff that made him turn into a creep”.

Mr O’Sullivan said it is believed the “stuff” is in reference to cocaine “which he was partial to”.

The prosecuting barrister said the accused made very valuable admissions to gardai and told them he was “deeply ashamed”.

The court heard he has over 100 previous convictions which include violent disorder, burglary, robbery, dangerous driving, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, threatening to kill or cause serious harm, endangerment, possession of drugs and having drugs for sale or supply.

Brian McInerney SC, who represented the accused, asked Detective Garda O’Neill if it was quite unusual to write a letter from Limerick Prison to the outside world acknowledging their wrongdoing. The detective said it was unusual.

The mother of the child read out her victim impact statement in which she said there was a knock at the door in January 2021 and "it was the guards". 

“The last thing that came to mind was a thing like this. I never thought that something like this would come to my family. I never thought my son would be violated in such a way. The worst thought is what might have happened that I mightn't even have a clue about. It was such a shock to me, my family and friends,” said the woman, who spoke of the effect it has had on her mental health.

“It has had a big impact on my life and I think about it every day. I would be more cautious about who I leave my son around because I can't trust anybody after this,” said the woman, who told Judge O’Donnell she would like the defendant identified and is willing to waive her anonymity.

The judge said it would identify her son.

“Everybody in Limerick knows what happened,” said the woman.

READ MORE: Man, 61, jailed for drugs seized on Limerick farm after garda raid

Mr McInerney said his client made very frank admissions to gardai and inculcated himself when he wrote the letter to the mother. The barrister said the early pleas avoided a trial which would have involved a multi-jurisdictional aspect.

“His plea is an acknowledgement in open court of his wrongdoing. It can’t be said he comes to court with no previous convictions but he has no relevant convictions. It is not a record he can be proud of,” said Mr McInerney.

He said his client hasn’t taken up bail on these matters and has been in custody since May 2, 2023.

“He acknowledges he has to be punished. He bears the guilt within himself which will be with him for the rest of his life,” said Mr McInerney.

The barrister said his client had significant difficulties with cocaine at the time of the offending but is not blaming cocaine.

“His family relations are ruptured. He is responsible and nobody else. He is willing to work with services in prison and post-release to assist him in rehabilitating himself. He is deeply ashamed,” said Mr McInerney, who added that the accused will be excluded from a large part of society,

“He wishes to apologise humbly to everybody. The paramount concern is a child of very tender years. Nothing should emerge that would lead to the identification of the child,” concluded Mr McInerney.

Judge O’Donnell said it was a “very, very disturbing case”. He said he had read the probation report and the victim impact statement and will give his decision this Friday morning.