Courts / Galway / Report
Man (54) engaged in 'extremely sexualised' online chat with purported girl (12)
Summary
James Walsh, 54, of Liskeavy, Tuam, pleaded guilty to engaging in electronic communication to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child between May and November 2020. He had previously been convicted of road traffic offences, criminal damage and a public order offence. The court heard that Walsh believed he was speaking to a 12‑year‑old girl named Eve, who was actually a decoy. He sent sexual images, asked for nude pictures, and tried to delete messages to hide them from the girl's mother. Gardaí seized two phones and found no evidence of a broader interest in children. Judge Brian O'Callaghan set a headline sentence of five years, reduced it to two and a half years and suspended it in full for the same period, subject to strict conditions. Walsh will be placed on the sex offenders register. The judge declined a request for reporting restrictions on his address.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man (54) engaged in 'extremely sexualised' online chat with purported girl (12). Charges or matters: engaging in electronic communication for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child on dates between May and November 2020; a very serious offence. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2020 Incident
- August 2021 Other
- 2025-06-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: engaging in electronic communication for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child on dates between May and November 2020; a very serious offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Brian O'Callaghan said that Walsh has pleaded guilty to a very serious offence. After considering the mitigating factors, he reduced the sentence to two and a half years and suspended it in full for the same period, subject to strict conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
Public Order Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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