Courts / Dublin / Report
Man caught by vigilantes trying to meet child for sex is jailed
Summary
Paul Fanning, 59, was jailed for six months after a vigilante group called Emerald Hunters Ireland set up fake dating‑site profiles to catch him. The group, operating a sting on Badoo, created decoy accounts for girls under 16. Fanning contacted the accounts, asking for explicit images and proposing a meeting. He arranged to meet a 13‑year‑old named Ali at Merrion Square, where vigilantes confronted him and livestreamed the encounter on Facebook. Gardaí were called and evidence of his texts was presented. Fanning denied intent to have sex but admitted he believed the girls were underage. He pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate with a child for sexual exploitation between 30 January and 11 February 2018. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to two and a half years, suspending two years on condition of therapy. The case highlighted the use of vigilante stings and the legal complexities surrounding such investigations.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man caught by vigilantes trying to meet child for sex is jailed. Charges or matters: attempting to communicate with a child for purposes of facilitating sexual exploitation of a child on dates between January 30 and February 11 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 10 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 30 Other
- February 11 2018 Incident
- January 2018 Other
- September 2017 Incident
- 2019-07-30 Publication
Why: The accounts were decoys set up by a group called "Emerald Hunters Ireland" in order to find potential paedophiles, the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: attempting to communicate with a child for purposes of facilitating sexual exploitation of a child on dates between January 30 and February 11 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) A man who was caught trying to communicate with a child for sex by a vigilante "sting" operation has been jailed for six months. The judge imposed a two and half year sentence but suspended two years of this on condition that Fanning undergo appropriate therapy.
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