Clare man Patrick McInerney (39) has to stand trial for sexual exploitation of children online
Patrick McInerney, 39, is also accused of offensive sexual conduct in a series of offenses which are alleged to have occurred earlier this year.
27/10/23 Patrick Mclnerney 39 Main St Kilkishen Co Clare. Image Collins Courts
Dublin District Court
A man has been accused of attempting to send offensive material to a child online and sexually exploiting him.
Patrick McInerney, 39, is also accused of offensive sexual conduct in a series of offenses which are alleged to have occurred earlier this year.
He is facing trial and the case against him has been adjourned at Dublin District Court to prepare for evidence.
Mr McInerney, of Main St, Kilkishen, Co Clare, is charged with five alleged offenses under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
He is charged with two counts of intentionally offensive conduct of a sexual nature on January 25 and 26, and two counts of attempting to sexually sexually explicit a child using information and communications technology on February 5 and dates between January 30 Material to be sent and February 18th.
The fifth allegation is that he attempted to use information and communications technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of the child under the age of seventeen, also on dates between January 30 and February 18.
The crimes are all said to have been committed at unknown locations in Dublin.
Detective Garda Tracy O’Reilly gave evidence of the defendant’s arrest, charge and caution. She said the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered that the case proceed with arraignment in the District Court.
The Garda had no objection to the granting of conditional bail. Judge Bryan Smyth set bail in line with the defendant’s bond of €500, with no cash payment required.
Under certain conditions, Mr McInerney must report to his local garda station in Ennis, Co Clare, between 9am and 9pm each week.
He must be contactable at all times on a mobile phone number provided to the Gardai. The defendant is also prohibited from having contact with children under 17 on social media.
Free legal aid was granted at the request of a defense attorney who stated that the defendant had no assets.
Judge Smyth remanded the defendant on bail to appear in court on November 27 and provide a book of evidence.
Mr McInerney will be sent to Dublin Criminal Court for trial once the evidence book is ready.
Details of the alleged crimes have not yet been heard in court.
Mr. McInerney was not required to appear at the brief hearing and has not yet entered a plea.