Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who sent schoolboy drunken sexual messages avoids jail
Summary
Eddie Smith, 45, of Clondalkin, was sentenced by Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin to 16 months imprisonment, fully suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation for sending explicit Facebook messages to a 15‑year‑old boy on 19 June 2015. The messages, sent at 3 a.m., invited the child to have sex, including oral sex, and contained graphic remarks. Smith had no prior convictions. The judge noted the offence appeared unpremeditated, likely a spur of the moment after alcohol consumption, and considered mitigating factors such as Smith's guilty plea, his difficult personal circumstances, and his medium risk assessment by probation services. Smith was ordered to engage in victim support work, mental health services, and the Matt Talbot Community Trust, and to be added to the sex offenders register for five years. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the impact on the victim, who now plans to move to Australia.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who sent schoolboy drunken sexual messages avoids jail. 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
- 2019-07-30 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: Eddie Smith (45) to 16 months imprisonment, suspended in its entirety for 18 months. In passing sentence, the judge took into account the mitigating circumstances of the case, including the guilty plea entered by Smith, an action which had "given emotional comfort to the victim and saved him the trauma of giving evidence".
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