THINIRA LIYANAGE FROM LETTERKENNY INVOLVED IN CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NORTHERN IRELAND
| Red Rose Database
Letterkenny Online Groomer
In a case that has garnered significant attention, Thinira Liyanage, a man residing in Letterkenny, County Donegal, is facing serious allegations related to child sexual offences in Northern Ireland. The charges against him include multiple grave accusations, such as meeting a child following sexual grooming, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and inciting a child to participate in sexual activities. These allegations are believed to have taken place between December 14, 2024, and January 19, 2025.
During a court hearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, a prosecutor revealed that authorities have conducted an extensive examination of Liyanage’s mobile phone, which has yielded a staggering number of over 200,000 images requiring further processing. This discovery underscores the complexity and scale of the investigation, as officers from the PSNI’s cyber crime unit work diligently to categorize and analyze the digital evidence. The sheer volume of images suggests a significant amount of digital material that could potentially contain indecent content, and detectives are expected to perform detailed dip testing to identify any material that may be relevant to the case.
Liyanage, a 36-year-old Sri Lankan national, is currently detained at Maghaberry Prison following his arrest. His residence is listed as Fortwell Court in Letterkenny, a town well known for its close-knit community and scenic landscapes. The charges against him include traveling from Letterkenny to meet a child after online grooming, which is a serious offence under the relevant legislation. He is also accused of engaging in sexual communication with a minor for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, as well as inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activities.
These allegations are based on evidence collected from an online group called Justice Reborn, which reported that they had been communicating with Liyanage at Coleraine train station. The group claimed to have used a decoy, posing as a 14-year-old girl, to engage with him online. According to their reports, Liyanage traveled from Letterkenny with the apparent intention of meeting the decoy in person. During subsequent searches of his vehicle, police recovered a bouquet of flowers and a necklace stored in a jewelry box, items that the group indicated were intended as gifts for the supposed minor.
Further evidence includes screenshots of messages exchanged between Liyanage and the decoy, in which the girl repeatedly states she is 14, attends school, and is treated like a baby by her mother. Despite this, Liyanage allegedly asked her to send topless photos and made references to kissing, touching, and her previous romantic experiences. When questioned during his police interview, Liyanage claimed he was on multiple dating apps, seeking a long-term relationship, and suspected that the profiles he encountered might be fake, given his past experience with fake profiles. He stated that he requested a phone call to verify the girl’s voice and even asked if she was having her periods to confirm her age.
Throughout the interview, Liyanage maintained that he had no sexual intent. He argued that if the profile was indeed fake, he might have been open to a relationship if it turned out she was an adult. Despite these claims, the court was informed that he is married and has a wife and child in Sri Lanka, raising questions about his motives and intentions.
During the hearing, defense solicitor Derwin Harvey expressed hope that the defendant’s willingness to accept the case might help expedite proceedings. However, Judge Peter King emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that the extensive digital evidence and serious nature of the charges could lead to a trial on indictment. The judge also indicated that the evidence might require detailed examination and dip testing by investigators. As a result, the case was adjourned for one month, with Liyanage remanded back into custody to appear again on May 12, 2025.
This case follows Liyanage’s initial appearance in Antrim Court earlier in January 2025, where he was remanded in custody. The charges against him include traveling to meet a child following online grooming, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activities, all under the relevant legislation of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008. The investigation was initiated after police received reports from the online group Justice Reborn, who claimed to have communicated with Liyanage and observed his intent to meet a minor in Coleraine. The case continues to develop as authorities work to establish the full extent of his actions and digital footprint.
During a court hearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, a prosecutor revealed that authorities have conducted an extensive examination of Liyanage’s mobile phone, which has yielded a staggering number of over 200,000 images requiring further processing. This discovery underscores the complexity and scale of the investigation, as officers from the PSNI’s cyber crime unit work diligently to categorize and analyze the digital evidence. The sheer volume of images suggests a significant amount of digital material that could potentially contain indecent content, and detectives are expected to perform detailed dip testing to identify any material that may be relevant to the case.
Liyanage, a 36-year-old Sri Lankan national, is currently detained at Maghaberry Prison following his arrest. His residence is listed as Fortwell Court in Letterkenny, a town well known for its close-knit community and scenic landscapes. The charges against him include traveling from Letterkenny to meet a child after online grooming, which is a serious offence under the relevant legislation. He is also accused of engaging in sexual communication with a minor for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, as well as inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activities.
These allegations are based on evidence collected from an online group called Justice Reborn, which reported that they had been communicating with Liyanage at Coleraine train station. The group claimed to have used a decoy, posing as a 14-year-old girl, to engage with him online. According to their reports, Liyanage traveled from Letterkenny with the apparent intention of meeting the decoy in person. During subsequent searches of his vehicle, police recovered a bouquet of flowers and a necklace stored in a jewelry box, items that the group indicated were intended as gifts for the supposed minor.
Further evidence includes screenshots of messages exchanged between Liyanage and the decoy, in which the girl repeatedly states she is 14, attends school, and is treated like a baby by her mother. Despite this, Liyanage allegedly asked her to send topless photos and made references to kissing, touching, and her previous romantic experiences. When questioned during his police interview, Liyanage claimed he was on multiple dating apps, seeking a long-term relationship, and suspected that the profiles he encountered might be fake, given his past experience with fake profiles. He stated that he requested a phone call to verify the girl’s voice and even asked if she was having her periods to confirm her age.
Throughout the interview, Liyanage maintained that he had no sexual intent. He argued that if the profile was indeed fake, he might have been open to a relationship if it turned out she was an adult. Despite these claims, the court was informed that he is married and has a wife and child in Sri Lanka, raising questions about his motives and intentions.
During the hearing, defense solicitor Derwin Harvey expressed hope that the defendant’s willingness to accept the case might help expedite proceedings. However, Judge Peter King emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that the extensive digital evidence and serious nature of the charges could lead to a trial on indictment. The judge also indicated that the evidence might require detailed examination and dip testing by investigators. As a result, the case was adjourned for one month, with Liyanage remanded back into custody to appear again on May 12, 2025.
This case follows Liyanage’s initial appearance in Antrim Court earlier in January 2025, where he was remanded in custody. The charges against him include traveling to meet a child following online grooming, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activities, all under the relevant legislation of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008. The investigation was initiated after police received reports from the online group Justice Reborn, who claimed to have communicated with Liyanage and observed his intent to meet a minor in Coleraine. The case continues to develop as authorities work to establish the full extent of his actions and digital footprint.