Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who wrote of fantasy child rape to be sentenced for harassment

Date
2014-11-14
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Mark Mulligan, aged 39, was found guilty of harassing a named woman in Dublin between 2008 and 2012 and of possessing child pornography at his home on 7 July 2013. He had pleaded not guilty to a third charge of producing child pornography between 1 and 17 March 2013. The court heard that Mulligan had developed a fantasy world due to loneliness, which led to online conversations where he discussed raping and torturing children and adults. He also sent a non‑explicit photograph of a three‑year‑old boy to an unknown Skype user, who suggested kidnapping and killing the child's parents. Mulligan claimed the conversations were "sick fantasies" and that he never intended to act on them. The judge adjourned sentencing to allow Probation Services to assess him. The case remains at the trial stage, with no sentencing yet announced.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who wrote of fantasy child rape to be sentenced for harassment. Charges or matters: harassment of a named woman at locations in Dublin on dates between 2008 and 2012; a third charge of producing child pornography at his home on dates between March 1 and March 17, 2013; producing child pornography because there was a contentious legal issue over whether or not the online text conversations between two private adults amounted to the production or distribution of child porn. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Mark Mulligan (39) told gardai he had developed a fantasy world for himself because he was very lonely. CNI source report

Case subjects

Mark Mulligan

Defendant

Charges: harassment of a named woman at locations in Dublin on dates between 2008 and 2012; a third charge of producing child pornography at his home on dates between March 1 and March 17, 2013; producing child pornography because there was a contentious legal issue over whether or not the online text conversations between two private adults amounted to the production or distribution of child porn (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing in this new matter in order to give the Probation Services time to assess him.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • Nazi prison

Topics

Harassment Stalking Sexual Offences Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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