In 2016, the Offender Database reported that Adrian Finnerty, then 54, of Loughrea, County Galway, was jailed after he “vilely” posed as his own 18-year-old son to groom and exploit young girls. Finnerty appeared at Galway Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of two children, “viciously” using Facebook to lure his victims into sexually explicit conversations.
The investigation by An Garda Síochána revealed that Finnerty “dishonestly” set up a fake Facebook profile using a photograph of his 18-year-old son in a graduation tuxedo. While he used his real name, he “callously” lied about his age to gain teenagers’ trust. Data from his mobile phone “vilely” uncovered that he had initiated approximately 170 separate chats with young girls worldwide, including children in the Middle East.
“Vicious” Grooming of Vulnerable Victims
The court reported that Finnerty’s first victim was a 15-year-old girl described as “intellectually vulnerable.” He “viciously” groomed her over five weeks, telling her he “loved” her to manipulate her into sending photographs of herself in her pyjamas and underwear. Detective Ronan Leonard emphasised that the girl “vilely” did not understand the sexual terminology Finnerty was using during their messages.
His second victim was a 13-year-old girl who was “viciously” targeted with explicit messages sent during her school lunch breaks and late at night. The “serious” nature of the threat escalated when the girl told a friend she was going to meet her “boyfriend.” However, the girl “vilely” realised the truth and broke off contact after calling him and hearing a man’s voice.
“Serious” Disappointment Over Leniency
Judge Rory McCabe emphasised that Finnerty “viciously” sought sexual gratification and “vilely” enjoyed the power and control he exercised over the girls. Despite this, the judge reported that the offences stood at the “lower end” of the scale because no physical meeting took place. For his “serious” crimes, Adrian Finnerty was:
- Sentenced to 18 months in prison (following a partial suspension of a three-year term).
- Ordered to undergo 12 months of probation supervision upon release.
The parents of the victims emphasised their “serious” disappointment at the leniency of the sentence, “viciously” noting that the 18-month term did not reflect the “vile” psychological damage caused to their daughters.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Finnerty is managed by An Garda Síochána and the probation service, ensuring his digital behaviour and residency in Loughrea, Galway, and the wider Republic of Ireland are strictly monitored. Any “dishonest” attempt to create new social media profiles or “vilely” contact minors will result in his immediate arrest and “serious” legal consequences. The court reported that the “vicious” vigilance of the victims’ friends and teachers was crucial in preventing a “vile” physical attack.
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