THOMAS PFEIFFER FROM CO WATERFORD INVESTIGATED FOR SIMILAR INCIDENT INVOLVING YOUNG GIRL

In February 2014, a disturbing case involving Thomas Pfeiffer, a former computer scientist at Waterford Institute of Technology, has come under renewed scrutiny following his recent release from jail after serving a suspended sentence. The initial conviction stemmed from an incident where Pfeiffer was found guilty of abducting and falsely imprisoning an 11-year-old German boy, an event that took place in Co Waterford.

According to court records, Pfeiffer, aged 51 at the time, was accused of detaining the young boy for two nights in his residence located in Meadowview, Coolfin, Portlaw, Co Waterford. The boy, who was in Ireland to improve his English skills through a program called 'English – K12,' was supposed to be transferred directly to his host family in Tramore. However, instead of following this arrangement, Pfeiffer picked him up at Dublin Airport on January 31, 2009, and drove him over 194 kilometers to his home.

The prosecution argued that Pfeiffer’s actions were deliberate and deceptive. The boy’s family had initially believed he would be staying with a host family in Tramore, but Pfeiffer’s conduct contradicted these expectations. Evidence presented in court revealed that Pfeiffer had met the boy at Dublin Airport, placed him into a harness, secured him in a booster seat in the back of his vehicle, and then transported him to his residence. The court heard that Pfeiffer had measured and weighed the boy upon his arrival, raising concerns about the nature of his treatment during the weekend.

Testimonies from the boy’s mother and aunt expressed their distress and anger upon discovering that the child had spent the weekend at Pfeiffer’s house. The mother recounted her call to the host family, where she explicitly stated she did not want her son to have further contact with Pfeiffer during his five-month stay in Ireland. The court also learned that Pfeiffer had falsely identified himself as 'Thomas Cahill,' a detail the prosecution emphasized to demonstrate his deliberate deception. The jury deliberated for nearly four hours before returning a verdict of guilty on the charge of child abduction, along with two counts of false imprisonment, while being cleared of one similar charge.

During the trial, the court was told that Pfeiffer had placed €75,000, the equity of his Irish home, as bail. However, bail was ultimately denied, and he was remanded into custody to await sentencing scheduled for January. The boy’s mother expressed her relief, stating, “We always thought he would be found guilty so we are not surprised.” The boy himself, who was too exhausted from the ordeal to testify, was described by his mother as being hopeful that the incident would serve as a warning to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Following the conviction, authorities have now forwarded a new file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concerning Pfeiffer’s conduct involving a young girl, indicating ongoing investigations into his actions. The case has garnered significant attention in Co Waterford, highlighting concerns about safeguarding children and the potential for further allegations against Pfeiffer. As the investigation continues, the community remains vigilant, awaiting further developments in this troubling case.