TIERNAN LAWLESS FROM CASTLEWELLAN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENSES IN COUNTY DOWN

In May 2022, a disturbing case of grooming and sexual misconduct came to light involving a young girl from Castlewellan, County Down. The perpetrator, Tiernan Padhraig Lawless, a 20-year-old man from Mourne Park in Castlewellan, was found guilty of engaging in a series of inappropriate and illegal activities targeting a 14-year-old girl.

Lawless had been warned explicitly by the victim’s mother to stay away from her daughter, who was only 14 at the time. Despite these warnings, he continued to pursue her, sending hundreds of messages through various social media platforms and engaging in persistent communication. His attempts to contact her included not only text messages but also numerous FaceTime calls, which he used to maintain a constant line of communication.

The situation escalated when the girl eventually met Lawless in a park in Castlewellan. She had told her parents she was visiting a friend, but in reality, she met Lawless along with another girl. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that initially, the girl denied any sexual contact with Lawless. However, she later confided in her mother that she had engaged in unprotected sex with him, revealing the extent of the grooming and exploitation she had suffered.

Downpatrick Crown Court heard that Lawless did not shy away from admitting that he prioritized his own sexual desires over the vulnerability of the young girl. Despite knowing her age, he continued to encourage her to engage in further contact and activities, demonstrating a blatant disregard for her safety and well-being. The court also noted aggravating factors in the case, including Lawless providing alcohol to the girls and ignoring repeated warnings to cease his pursuit.

As part of his sentencing, Lawless was ordered to serve eight months of his 20-month prison term behind bars, with the remaining time to be served on license. Additionally, he was mandated to sign the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years and was subjected to a five-year sexual offences prevention order, aimed at restricting his future interactions and safeguarding the community from potential harm.

Lawless’s case highlights the serious consequences of grooming and sexual exploitation, especially involving minors. The court’s decision underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable young individuals from predatory behavior and holding offenders accountable for their actions.