Courts / Galway / Report
Man sent boy (15) explicit invitation
Summary
Eddie Smith, 45, sent explicit Facebook messages to a 15‑year‑old boy inviting sexual activity, claiming the boy was "hot" and offering to meet at the Gay Pride Festival. The messages, sent at 3 am, also asked about the boy's penis size and feet. The boy did not reply and showed the messages to his older sister, who contacted Smith. Smith later claimed the messages were sent by mistake to a man with the same name. Garda Paul Dempsey obtained a warrant after Smith failed to attend a trial date; he was taken to hospital and later pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation for inviting a child to sexual activity on 19 June 2015. He has no prior convictions. Judge Sinéad Ní Chulacháin remanded him on bail until 1 July, ordering a probation report to assess his risk of re‑offending and to address his mental‑health issues. The case was prosecuted by Maurice Coffey BL.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man sent boy (15) explicit invitation. Charges or matters: sexual exploitation in that he invited a child to engage in or participate in a sexual act on June 19, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 19, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 1 Adjournment
- 2019-04-09 Publication
Why: A victim impact statement from the now 18-year-old stated that he was scared of Smith because he was older and bigger than him and that he feared for his safety. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sexual exploitation in that he invited a child to engage in or participate in a sexual act on June 19, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: I don't want to leave things hanging around considering the victim is trying to move on," Judge Ní Chulacháin said, before she remanded Smith on continuing bail to July 1 next.
Places mentioned
Topics
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