Courts / Dublin / Report
"Predator" coerced young girls in to sending sex pictures
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Matthew Horan, aged 26, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexually exploiting children and distributing child pornography. He used platforms such as Skype, Snapchat, Instagram, and Kik to coerce six identified Irish girls and nine unknown users worldwide into sending sexually graphic pictures and videos. Forensic examination of his computer revealed recorded Skype calls with two nine‑year‑old girls, including footage of them engaging in graphic sexual acts, and text conversations where he threatened to post an 11‑year‑old girl's nude images if she did not comply. Horan also threatened an 11‑year‑old girl with self‑harm, prompting her to repeat that she would kill herself. He pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexual exploitation, one count of distributing child porn, and possession of child porn on multiple dates between 2014 and 2016. No prior convictions were recorded. The judge adjourned the case to Friday for sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Predator" coerced young girls in to sending sex pictures. Charges or matters: a count each of sexually exploiting two girls within the State on dates between April 1 and November 23, 2014; two more counts of sexually exploiting a child and one count of distributing child porn on dates in 2015; possessing child porn at his address on July 11, 2015; three further counts of sexually exploiting female children through Snapchat and Instagram in the State on dates between May 21, 2015 and July 7, 2016; possessing child porn on a Sony mobile phone at his home on July 7, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 1 Incident
- November 23, 2014 Incident
- July 11, 2015 Incident
- May 21, 2015 Adjournment
- July 7, 2016 Adjournment
- 2018-01-22 Publication
Why: The man said he also felt guilty because he had failed to protect his child. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a count each of sexually exploiting two girls within the State on dates between April 1 and November 23, 2014; two more counts of sexually exploiting a child and one count of distributing child porn on dates in 2015; possessing child porn at his address on July 11, 2015; three further counts of sexually exploiting female children through Snapchat and Instagram in the State on dates between May 21, 2015 and July 7, 2016; possessing child porn on a Sony mobile phone at his home on July 7, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case to Friday and said he intends to sentence Horan then.; Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case to Friday and said he intends to sentence Horan then.
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