Man accused of luring child into making porn

A man charged with six counts of sexually exploiting a child for the production of child pornography over a two-year period, was remanded in custody with consent to bail when he appeared before Galway District Court on Monday. The mother (37) of the girl was also charged in relation to neglecting the same child and more in her care on dates between 2006 and 2011. Detective Garda Maria Flaherty gave evidence of arresting the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at 7.35am that morning. The defendant made no reply when charged with 45 counts under Section 246 of the Children Act 2001. She is accused of neglecting, assaulting, abandoning, ill-treating or exposing the children at various locations in the city and county over the five-year period. Inspector Ernie Whyte advised the court that the DPP had directed that all matters be dealt with at a higher court. He said that the State would not be opposing bail, but insisted on an independent lodgement of €5,000. “The charges are of the most seriousness, and we believe it’s reasonable,” he said, after a request was made to accept a lower amount. Judge Mary Fahy agreed with the State’s view, informing solicitor for the woman, Sean Acton, that he would have to apply to the High Court to have the figure reduced. She then remanded the woman in custody, with consent to bail on her own surety of €500, and an independent surety of €5,000, the conditions of which are that she signs on at her local Garda station three times weekly, provides a mobile phone number to Gardaí, notifies them of any change of address, has no contact with witnesses, and any contact with family members is to be made through HSE officials at Tusla (Child and Family Agency), Newcastle Road. Garda Denise Kelleher gave evidence of arresting the male defendant at his home on Sunday afternoon. His reply to all 17 charges was: “Load of rubbish, not guilty.” He was also remanded in custody, with consent to bail, on the same conditions. On dates between 2006 and 2008, he is accused of six counts of sexually exploiting a child by inviting, inducing, or coercing her to engage in the production of child porn, contrary to Section 3(2) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. He also faces charges of sexually assaulting the same child and another female between 2006 and 2009. Free legal aid was granted to him. For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.