MICHELLE COAKLEY FROM CORK INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL SHOCKING INCIDENT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through Cork, a woman named Michelle Coakley from 30 Bridevalley Park, Fairhill, was brought before Cork Circuit Criminal Court to face serious allegations involving child abuse images and videos. The incident, which took place on January 24, 2018, involved the distribution and possession of highly offensive material depicting a two-year-old boy being sexually assaulted by an unidentified man.

During the court proceedings, Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin addressed the unusual nature of the case, noting that it is rare for a prosecution to be based on a single video file. Coakley admitted to two charges related to this video, which she had shared online. The judge explained that the case was atypical because it was not alleged that she actively searched for such content on the internet. Instead, the video was received unsolicited, and she subsequently forwarded it to others. The judge highlighted that the recipient of the video, upon viewing its disturbing content, reported it to the Gardaí, the Irish police.

Judge Ó Donnabháin emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “This lady pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography. The facts are somewhat unusual — very unusual to have a plea in relation to one video file. It is not alleged that she was on the net looking for these videos. It came to her unsolicited and then she sent it on.” Despite the unusual circumstances, the court recognized the gravity of the offense and the harm caused.

In sentencing, the judge imposed an 18-month jail term, which was suspended on the condition that Coakley would maintain peace and good behavior for the next 18 months. Sergeant Donal Cashman provided additional context, revealing that Coakley's stated intention was to send the video to another individual in an attempt to identify the child involved. However, she inadvertently forwarded the video to the person who ultimately reported it to the Gardaí. Coakley faced charges under the Criminal Justice Pornography Act of 1998, specifically for knowingly distributing child pornography for purposes including distribution, publication, exportation, sale, or showing, as well as possession of such material on her mobile phone.

The case has raised serious concerns about the circulation of child abuse images and the importance of vigilance in reporting such material. The court's decision underscores the severity with which such offenses are treated under Irish law, and the community remains deeply troubled by the details of this case involving a resident of Cork.