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Man who "catfished" teens into sending explicit pictures is placed on probation bond
Summary
Ben Mooney, a 22‑year‑old Dublin man, was placed on a two‑year probation bond after pleading guilty to knowingly possessing child pornography. He had used the alias "Nicole Heffernon" to contact up to 15 teenage boys via Facebook, obtaining images and videos of them in underwear, naked and masturbating. At his home, a Samsung phone held 4,000 images and 300 videos of child porn. A seized computer later yielded 476 videos (42 hours total) and 39 images, depicting children in explicit sexual acts or showing genital or anal regions. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing evidence and a probation report, ordered Mooney to engage with the Probation Service, attend a sex‑offender treatment programme and other courses to address his addiction and educational needs. The judge remanded him on continuing bail until March 2021, noting that a custodial sentence would depend on his cooperation with the Probation Service over the two years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who "catfished" teens into sending explicit pictures is placed on probation bond. Charges or matters: knowingly possessing child porn and possessing 4,000 images and 300 videos of child porn on a Samsung mobile phone at his home on January 5, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 5, 2016 Incident
- March 2021 Adjournment
- 2019-03-26 Publication
Why: Gda Tracey explained that Mooney had been "catfishing", or pretending to be someone else online, to obtain images of boys in their underwear and naked. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: knowingly possessing child porn and possessing 4,000 images and 300 videos of child porn on a Samsung mobile phone at his home on January 5, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said it was "very much in Mooney's control" as to whether a custodial sentence will be imposed after she indicated she would take into consideration the level at which he engages with the Probation Service over the two years.; Judge Melanie Greally had adjourned the case having previously heard the evidence and ordered a report from The Probation Service.
Places mentioned
Topics
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