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Court hears how 'predatory' garda impersonated colleague in graphic conversations about rape, torture and cannibalism
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Garda Shane Flanagan pleaded guilty to inciting two men to rape a woman and to six counts of endangerment for impersonating her on FetLife.com and Facebook, inviting violence against her and her two teenage daughters between 2018 and 2020. He also pleaded guilty to possession of four images of child sexual abuse material. The victim, who had no romantic or sexual history with Flanagan, described the impersonation as a calculated, predatory act that left her lifelong scars. Flanagan, who had been suspended in 2021 and retired in March 2024, was remanded in custody for finalisation of sentence. The court heard extensive evidence, including over 2,000 screenshots, 219 doctored images, and the victim's address and personal details shared by Flanagan. The case highlighted the breach of trust by a fellow Garda and the severe impact on the victim's safety and mental health.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court hears how 'predatory' garda impersonated colleague in graphic conversations about rape, torture and cannibalism. Charges or matters: two counts of inciting two men to rape the woman on dates between November and December 2020; six counts of endangerment, in that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in impersonating the woman in Facebook communications, and on the website FetLife.com and in which communications invited persons unknown to visit violence upon her and two others, thereby creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm on dates between 2018 and 2020; one count of the possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 7, 2021 Incident
- January 17, 2021 Other
- October 2020 Other
- January 2021 Other
- February 2022 Incident
- 2018 and 2020 Incident
- 2025-06-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of inciting two men to rape the woman on dates between November and December 2020; six counts of endangerment, in that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in impersonating the woman in Facebook communications, and on the website FetLife.com and in which communications invited persons unknown to visit violence upon her and two others, thereby creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm on dates between 2018 and 2020; one count of the possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Eileen Creedon remanded Flanagan in custody for finalisation of sentence next month.; Ms Justice Eileen Creedon remanded Flanagan in custody for finalisation of sentence next month.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Google Street view
Topics
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