Co Clare man uploaded Facebook friends’ photos to porn website

A judge said a Co Clare man had engaged in "appalling" behaviour by uploading 19 girls' Facebook profile pictures to a pornographic site.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan described Evan Meehan's offences as "lurid carry on".

Mr Meehan (23) of Dernish Lawn, Shannon has pleaded guilty to uploading 30 photos of local teenage girls to a pornographic site between October 2013 and June 2014.

Of the 19 victims, 17 had Shannon addresses, while the other two lived in Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus.

All were Facebook friends of Mr Meehan and most went to the same secondary school in Shannon as him.The offences took place during a period when Mr Meehan, has no previous convictions, was aged 19 and 20.

The offences came to light after a number of girls presented themselves to Shannon Garda station on June 30th, 2014.

Judge Durcan told defence solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick that he was considering a prison sentence in the case, but he had persuaded him otherwise.

Judge Durcan said: “His behaviour was appalling.”

Mr Fitzpatick agreed and replied “absolutely”.

Mr Fitzpatick said his cleint has engaged with the Probation Services over and above what he was asked to do and has organised counselling for himself.

Judge Durcan further remanded Mr Meehan on bail and adjourned the case until May 2nd.