CIARAN DOHERTY FROM MALIN INVOLVED IN SEXUAL OFFENSES IN DONEGAL

In May 2018, a man from Malin, County Donegal, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in a sexual act with a 13-year-old boy. The incident stemmed from a disturbing online encounter initiated through the Gaydar gay dating application, which the young victim had downloaded onto his mother’s mobile phone.

Ciaran Doherty, aged 33 and residing in Glengad, Malin, traveled to the boy’s residence in Inishowen while the boy’s mother was away for approximately two hours. The court heard that Doherty’s visit was premeditated, and he arrived at the home after showering, with the intent of meeting the young boy he had contacted online.

The situation unraveled when the boy’s mother returned unexpectedly and discovered her son being forced to perform oral sex on Doherty. This shocking revelation led to Doherty’s immediate arrest and subsequent court proceedings. The incident was described in court as a grave breach of trust and a serious sexual offense involving a minor.

During the hearing at Letterkenny Circuit Court, Judge John Aylmer addressed the severity of the crime. He initially considered a six-year sentence, reflecting the gravity of the offense. However, after taking into account various mitigating factors, the judge reduced the term to four years, with the final 12 months suspended. Doherty was also ordered to register as a sex offender, following his guilty plea to the charge of defilement of a child under 15 years, which he entered on April 13, 2015.

Throughout the sentencing, Doherty displayed little emotion, while his mother and sister were visibly distressed, breaking down in tears. The victim, now 16 years old, sat quietly at the back of the courtroom with his mother, having endured the traumatic experience.

The court was informed that the young boy had created a profile on Gaydar, falsely claiming to be 19 years old. The profile included details such as his age and a statement clarifying, “I’m not a porn star I’m a 13 year old.” The boy’s mother had left him at home with his siblings while she went out with her partner, handing him her mobile phone in case of emergency.

Garda Malcolm Hooks provided details about the online activity, explaining that the boy had used the app to establish contact with Doherty. The boy’s profile indicated he was 19 but also explicitly admitted to being only 13. The profile further stated, “I’m not a porn star I’m a 13 year old,” highlighting the young age of the user.

A meeting was arranged between Doherty and the boy at his home in Inishowen. Doherty traveled there after showering and was met by the boy at his residence. During a later police interview, Doherty admitted that when he arrived and the boy answered the door, he believed the child to be around sixteen or seventeen years old.

The court heard that the boy was coerced into performing oral sex during the encounter. The incident was interrupted when the boy’s mother returned unexpectedly and witnessed the assault. The boy’s sister testified that her family was unaware of Doherty’s sexuality until this incident and that he was deeply ashamed of what had transpired. She expressed her brother’s remorse and his willingness to accept any punishment.

Defense counsel, Mr. Colm Smyth, SC, emphasized that Doherty came from a reputable family and that the entire family was shocked by his actions. The case highlighted the tragic breach of trust and the devastating impact of online grooming and sexual abuse involving minors in Donegal.