Court adjourns sentencing of man who texted naked pics to girl
An "exhibitionist" who sent naked pictures of himself by text to a 12-year-old girl, and was also in contact with several of her friends, has had his sentence adjourned at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
James O'Reilly (aged 26), an unemployed electrician, of Wheatfield Grove, Clondalkin left the schoolgirl "frightened" and "nervous" after sending her 11 pictures "with his penis on display".
He pleaded guilty to three counts under the Telecommunications Act of sending grossly offensive messages between January 24 and 27, 2005, with the other counts taken into consideration.
Detective Garda Paul O'Grady told prosecuting counsel, Mr Sean Gillane BL, a friend of the girl gave her O'Reilly's number. She 'texted' him and asked "who's this" and he replied "James" and told her he was 20.
She started sending photographs of herself on his request and he replied by sending naked pictures of himself. O'Reilly was also texting one of the girl's friend who had falsely claimed to be 16.
She had passed his number around to her friends, resulting in him having text message conversations with four girls, all around 12 years of age.
Det Gda O'Grady said the girl's mother became concerned with who her daughter was texting and she alerted the school who informed gardaí.
O'Reilly was arrested and co-operated with gardaí, saying at first he thought all the girls were at least 16 but he began to doubt this when he saw their pictures.
He said he felt bad and deleted pictures of the girl from his phone.
A victim impact report stated that, following the messages, the girl felt "frightened and afraid to go out".
She had trouble sleeping and saw a social worker, but her life had since returned to normal.
Defence counsel, Mr Conor Devally SC, said his client was a very shy man with no previous convictions who engaged in "exhibitionism which might be better ascribed to an adolescent".
Judge Patrica Ryan ordered the completion of a detailed probation report and remanded O'Reilly on bail until December.
