BARRY WATTERS FROM DUBLIN AND DUNDALK SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In December 2018, Barry Watters, a man with connections to both Dublin and Dundalk, was sentenced to six years in prison following a series of disturbing criminal acts involving children and the possession of child pornography. The case, heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, revealed a pattern of brazen and predatory behavior that shocked the local community and highlighted ongoing concerns about child safety and online exploitation.

Watters, aged 42, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of indecency at a location in Dublin in December 2014, and a separate count of possessing child pornography in 2016. The court was told that Watters, who had a history of previous convictions related to child pornography, appeared to be escalating his offending behavior, moving beyond online activity to direct, physical acts of exhibitionism targeting vulnerable children.

Judge Martina Baxter, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the severity of Watters’ actions. She sentenced him to seven years in prison, with the final year suspended, acknowledging the gravity of his offenses and the need for deterrence. The judge remarked that Watters, who had previously been convicted for possessing child pornography, was seemingly taking a step further by engaging in public acts of indecency, thus crossing from online offenses into real-world criminality.

The court detailed the disturbing incidents that took place in Dublin, which formed the basis of the charges. On the morning of December 1, 2014, a youth worker overseeing a breakfast club observed a man walking down the street with his genitals exposed. The man, later identified as Watters, looked directly at her as he passed by, and then proceeded to walk into a group of young girls, still with his genitals exposed. An 11-year-old girl, walking alone and looking down, reported that she saw Watters facing her, holding his genitals, which caused her to be frightened. A nine-year-old girl also recounted how she encountered Watters as he walked past her, and she quickly ran to inform a lollipop lady about what she had seen.

The following day, at around 8:50 am, two children walking to school encountered Watters again on the same street, with his genitals exposed. A 10-year-old girl described how his genitals brushed against her arm as he passed, although she was unsure if it was intentional. She was frightened and ran to a nearby shop before heading to school to report the incident. Her friend provided a similar account, indicating that Watters had been deliberately targeting children in the area. The court noted that Watters’ presence in these locations was not accidental, and his actions appeared to be calculated and predatory.

Throughout the proceedings, the court heard that Watters did not communicate with the children during these incidents, suggesting that his behavior was driven by personal gratification rather than interaction. The community’s response was swift and concerned, with residents and parents deeply disturbed by the events. The judge highlighted the impact on the victims, emphasizing that these children’s sense of safety and independence had been severely compromised. Their routine of walking to school unaccompanied was abruptly interrupted, and their innocence was marred by Watters’ disturbing conduct.

In addition to the physical acts, the court examined evidence related to Watters’ online activities. He was observed entering an internet café, where he concealed his screen with headphones and appeared to be watching images of children in provocative poses. Gardaí, who monitored his activity remotely, discovered that he was viewing and storing images of pre-teen children, some as young as seven, in sexually explicit situations. A USB stick found in his possession contained 23 images of child pornography, depicting children involved in sexual acts and with exposed genitals.

Legal representatives for Watters presented mitigation, noting his prior convictions and the psychological reports that indicated he had cognitive deficiencies and was possibly on the autism spectrum. The reports also highlighted a lack of empathy and limited insight into his behavior. Counsel pointed out that Watters had been in custody since July and claimed he was doing better in detention than when at liberty.

Judge Baxter expressed her concern over Watters’ escalating behavior, noting that he had become more emboldened after the initial incidents. She emphasized that his actions demonstrated a disturbing pattern of exhibitionism and predatory conduct, targeting vulnerable children and engaging in online child exploitation. The psychological assessment revealed vulnerabilities, but the judge underscored that his repeated offenses and the nature of his crimes warranted a significant custodial sentence.

As part of his sentence, the court imposed strict conditions, including a two-year post-release supervision period during which Watters must undergo sex offender treatment. He is prohibited from contacting any child under 18, attending family events where children are present, or entering internet cafés or using internet-enabled devices without supervision. The final year of his sentence was suspended, contingent upon his compliance with these conditions.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Watters, dressed in a grey tracksuit, only spoke when the court clerk read out the terms of the peace bond. He initially laughed and claimed he could not hear, but when asked to acknowledge the conditions, he responded affirmatively. His behavior and the severity of his crimes have left a lasting impact on the community and underscore the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating child exploitation and safeguarding vulnerable populations.