MICHAEL MCSHANE DOWNPATRICK CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENDER CAUGHT BREAKING SEX OFFENCES ORDER

In July 2023, a disturbing case involving Michael McShane, a resident of Downpatrick, has come to light, highlighting ongoing concerns about sexual offences and the monitoring of offenders within the community.

McShane, aged 27, was found to have attempted to conceal his online activity after accessing the controversial website OnlyFans, a platform known for hosting a wide range of content, including explicit material. Despite being under strict legal restrictions, he deleted his internet browsing history just five days after visiting the site, raising suspicions and prompting further investigation.

The court proceedings revealed that McShane was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo), which had been imposed in February 2020 following his conviction for possessing nearly 140 indecent images of children. As a registered sex offender, he was required to adhere to specific conditions designed to prevent further offending, including the use of monitoring software on his mobile device. This software was intended to track his internet activity and prevent access to prohibited content.

However, on April 8, authorities received an alert indicating that McShane had accessed OnlyFans via his phone. The platform, while hosting a variety of content creators such as personal trainers, chefs, and musicians, is predominantly known for its adult material, including explicit videos and images. When investigators examined McShane’s phone, they found no direct evidence of his visit to OnlyFans, which suggested he had attempted to erase his digital footprints.

Prosecutors pointed out that McShane had failed to notify his designated risk manager about his intentions to use social media, breaching the conditions of his Sopo. This omission was considered a serious violation, especially given his history and the monitoring measures in place.

During the court hearing, a defence lawyer acknowledged that there was still work to be done through probation to address McShane’s offending behaviour. The judge, District Judge Amanda Brady, expressed her concern over the repeated breaches, describing the situation as “really, really concerning.”

Judge Brady emphasized the gravity of the breach, noting that McShane had previously appeared before the Crown Court for sex offences, received probation, a suspended sentence, and had served time for breaching his Sopo. Despite these measures, he was found again in violation of the conditions.

She warned him that if he reoffended, the only appropriate response would be a custodial sentence, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his actions.

McShane’s criminal history also includes a 2020 incident where he inadvertently posted nearly 140 child images on a sports club’s Facebook page. Of these images, 55 were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious level of indecency, with the remaining images falling into Categories B and C. He admitted to possessing and making indecent photographs, further illustrating his troubling pattern of behaviour.

As the case continues to unfold, authorities remain vigilant in monitoring McShane’s compliance with legal restrictions, aiming to prevent any further harm and ensure community safety in Downpatrick.