CORK MAN, 70, PLEADS GUILTY TO ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH DECOY PROFILES OF CHILDREN
A 70-year-old man named Patrick Linehan was caught in a police sting operation after engaging in sexualised conversations with individuals he believed to be 11 and 12-year-old girls.The court heard that Mr.
Linehan described his communications with what he thought was an 11-year-old girl as “harmless fun.” He pleaded guilty to using technology to interact with children for the purpose of sexual exploitation and also admitted arranging to meet a child for sexual assault.
Detective Garda Brendan Murray stated that on July 8, 2023, Gardaí attended an address at Comeragh Park, Cork, where they encountered Mr.
Linehan and a group claiming to be members of Child Online Protection Enforcers.
The group provided Gardaí with USB devices containing sexualised conversations between the accused and what appeared to be two female children aged 11 and 12.
Gardaí discovered that these profiles were generated and controlled by adults posing as children.
During interviews, Mr.
Linehan admitted to being in contact with two girls and acknowledged that he knew they were 11 and 12 years old.
He later claimed he thought the 12-year-old was 15 or 16 because she sounded older from the texts.
Mr.
Linehan admitted to sending images and videos, but he claimed they were not obscene.
He also mentioned that the girls had asked to meet, though he stated he never met with them.
Gardaí analyzed Facebook and WhatsApp messages, revealing that Mr.
Linehan sexualised the conversations very early.
He initially claimed to be 13 but later admitted to being 68, after sending selfies.
The evidence indicated he sent explicit images and videos, including images of his genitalia.
The message exchanges began on June 19, 2023, and continued until July 8, 2023.
Defence counsel Ronan Barnes highlighted Mr.
Linehan's long service working for Cork County Council with an exemplary record.
The sentencing was scheduled for July 1, with Mr.
Linehan remaining in custody until then.
