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'Predatory' garda who impersonated colleague in graphic conversations about rape, torture and cannibalism gets seven years
Summary
Shane Flanagan, 39, a former Garda, was found guilty of impersonating a woman on FetLife.com and Facebook, sharing her personal details and encouraging two men to rape her between November and December 2020. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangering the woman and her daughters from 2018 to 2020, and to one count of possessing four images of child sexual abuse material. The court imposed a headline sentence of ten years for the incitement of rape, with a concurrent six‑year term for the endangerment charges and a three‑year term for the child pornography charge. Twelve months of the headline sentence were suspended, and the remaining nine years were to be served under strict conditions, including probation and psychiatric care. The judge noted the offences were calculated, cold, and motivated by Flanagan's sexual interests, and that no actual violence occurred.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Predatory' garda who impersonated colleague in graphic conversations about rape, torture and cannibalism gets seven years. Charges or matters: two counts of inciting two men to rape the woman on dates between November and December 2020; six counts of endangering the woman and her daughters between 2018 and 2020, and to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021; 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 possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as c
When:
- December 2020 Incident
- January 7, 2021 Incident
- June 30 Incident
- January 17, 2021 Other
- February 2022 Incident
- 2018 and 2020 Incident
- 2025-07-29 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: two counts of inciting two men to rape the woman on dates between November and December 2020; six counts of endangering the woman and her daughters between 2018 and 2020, and to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021; 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 possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a sentence of eight years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for three years. Having imposed sentence, Ms Justice Creedon directed Flanagan to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service following his release and she backdated the sentence to June 30 last, when he went into custody.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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