KIERAN CREAVEN FROM BALLINASLOE AND DUBLIN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEX OFFENCES IN LEEDS

In a disturbing case that has garnered significant attention, Kieran Creaven, a former television producer originally from Ballinasloe and later residing in Dublin, has been convicted of serious sexual offences involving a minor. The incidents took place over a span of several months and culminated in his arrest during a sting operation conducted by the Leeds-based paedophile hunter group, Predator Exposure.

Creaven appeared before Leeds Crown Court to face sentencing after admitting to attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes and attempting to incite her into engaging in sexual activities. The court heard that he had been actively grooming the girl over a period of four months in 2017, during which he exchanged explicit messages and sent photographs of a sexual nature. The court was also informed that Creaven had an obsession with pornography, including videos involving children as young as eight, which he watched regularly.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Creaven had a detailed list of young girls’ names, along with two boxes of condoms and two mobile phones, which he carried at the time of his arrest on November 18. The arrest followed a covert operation where he was caught attempting to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl at The Queens Hotel in Leeds. The decoy was an adult member of the Predator Exposure group, posing as a minor online. Creaven had traveled from Dublin to Leeds for this purpose, having initially contacted the girl online on July 1, 2017.

The court also learned that Creaven had previously attempted to travel to Leeds on an earlier occasion to meet the same girl, but this trip was canceled due to illness. His online exchanges with the decoy included messages of a sexual nature, along with explicit photographs, indicating a clear intent to engage in sexual activity. The grooming and communication persisted until his arrest in November.

Creaven’s employment history includes a long tenure at RTÉ, where he worked since 1998 and contributed to major events such as the coverage of the 2012 London Olympics. However, following his arrest and subsequent conviction, RTÉ terminated his employment.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempting to meet a child after grooming her and an additional 12 months for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the longer term of 18 months. The court emphasized the severity of his actions and the danger posed to minors by individuals like him. Creaven was released on bail pending his sentencing scheduled for February 12, 2019, and remains under court supervision until then.