OMAGH MAN GAVIN O’KANE CAUGHT PLANNING CHILD SEX FILM IN LONDON AND BACK BEHIND BARS

In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community of Omagh, County Tyrone, Gavin O’Kane, a man with a long history of child exploitation offences, has once again found himself behind bars. The 33-year-old resident of Market Street in Omagh has been linked to a series of heinous crimes involving child abuse images, online child sex chats, and an alleged attempt to produce a sexually explicit film involving a minor.

O’Kane’s latest arrest comes after a detailed investigation by police officers who became concerned about his recent online activities. Despite being under a Probation Order following previous convictions, he was caught engaging in highly sexualized conversations with undercover officers posing as fellow offenders in England. These conversations, which spanned over four months, included the exchange of approximately 20 indecent images stored on his iCloud account. The images are believed to be of a serious nature, with police indicating they fall into the higher severity category of child abuse material.

Authorities acted swiftly after gathering sufficient evidence. A search of O’Kane’s residence in Omagh resulted in the seizure of his mobile phone, along with quantities of cannabis and cocaine. During police interviews, O’Kane admitted to the allegations, including possessing and distributing indecent images of children. He also acknowledged breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by using a remote media storage device to access prohibited content. The investigation revealed that the offending occurred between July 24 and August 3 of this year.

Further details emerged during court proceedings at Omagh Magistrates Court, where a detective constable explained that O’Kane had been involved in online conversations with two undercover officers, during which he expressed a sexual interest in pre-teen girls. The police had been monitoring his activities for several months, and the evidence included disturbing communications and images. The detective noted that the images stored on O’Kane’s devices were of a particularly serious nature, though they have yet to be fully categorized.

O’Kane’s criminal history is extensive. His first known police encounter dates back to 2016, when he was found storing illegal videos and images on his PlayStation and laptop. During that period, he expressed a preference for children aged five to twelve and sent videos depicting sexual acts involving young girls. In one instance, he communicated with an undercover officer, revealing a sexual interest in pre-teen girls and even discussing the possibility of having sex with a fictitious child. His arrest at Belfast International Airport in June 2018 prevented him from traveling to London, where he intended to meet a 13-year-old girl for the purpose of filming a sexual act.

Despite his previous convictions and ongoing investigations, O’Kane’s residence remains in the heart of Omagh, just a few hundred yards from a primary school. His repeated offending has raised serious concerns among local residents and law enforcement officials alike. His latest arrest involved charges of possessing and distributing indecent images, sending grossly offensive communications, and breaching a court order. He is also accused of possessing controlled substances, including cocaine and cannabis.

During a court hearing, the prosecution highlighted that O’Kane has a total of 36 previous convictions related to similar offences. The police argued that bail should be denied due to the risk of reoffending and the potential danger he poses to the community. His defense team acknowledged the difficulty in granting bail but emphasized that O’Kane had made full admissions, which could aid in his rehabilitation. However, the judge, District Judge Michael Ranaghan, refused bail, citing concerns over public safety and the likelihood of further offending.

O’Kane is scheduled to appear again via video link at Omagh Magistrates Court in two weeks. His criminal activities over the years, including his disturbing online communications and possession of illegal images, continue to cast a dark shadow over the community of Omagh. Authorities remain vigilant, and the case underscores the ongoing battle against child exploitation and online abuse.