Man accused of sending lewd Snapchat photo to teen girl

A 39-year-old man allegedly told a 16-year-old girl he fancied that her age was “only a number” before sending her a Snapchat photo of his penis.

Judge Mary Fahy imposed reporting restrictions last week at Galway District Court preventing publication of the man’s identity for the moment.

The accused was initially charged last July with sending sexually explicit material on September 11 last year, to a child under 17 years of age, by means of information and communication technology, contrary to Section 8 (2) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.

The Director of Public Prosecutions indicated the case could be dealt with in the District Court, only if there was a guilty plea.

The man was remanded on bail with conditions attached to last week’s court where Judge Fahy asked for an outline of the allegations made against him so she could decide on whether or not to accept jurisdiction to deal with the charge in her court should the man plead guilty.

Sergeant Cathal Rodgers said it would be alleged the teenage girl engaged in a WhatsApp conversation with the accused.  Both parties were known to each other already.

He said it would be alleged the accused then sent a Snapchat picture of his penis to the girl.  He invited a relationship with her by saying her age was only a number.

The girl blocked the accused on her social media accounts and told her parents who contacted the Gardai.

Judge Fahy said it was difficult to decide on jurisdiction without knowing exactly what was said between the parties.

Garda Sharon Noone, prosecuting, handed in a printout of the conversation to Judge Fahy at her request.

In reply to Judge Fahy, Sgt Rodgers said there was no hint of intimidation in the conversation.

Having read the printout, Judge Fahy accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case in her court and she remanded the accused on continuing bail with conditions attached to February 7 to await his attitude to the charge.

The judge observed if he pleaded not guilty the matter would automatically go to the Circuit Criminal Court for trial.

Conditions attached to the man’s bail in July included that he keep his phone on his person at all times, in credit and charged and answer it at any time to Garda Noone; that he make no contact, directly or indirectly by any means with the alleged injured party, or her immediate family; and that he sign on at Salthill Garda Station every Monday.