Kildare man 'shared intimate images of his sister on social media'
Allegation
A man who allegedly shared intimate images of his sister on a social media platform has appeared before Naas District Court.
The defendant faces three allegations of distributing or publishing intimate images on three occasions - between dates in February 2020 and June 2021, in July 2021 and in May 2021 - contrary to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offence Act.
Sgt Dave Hanrahan told Naas District Court that a large number of images of the man's sister were shared.
Detective Garda Paul Feely told the court it will be alleged that the defendant got the pictures off the injured party’s phone.
Det Gda Feely also said that while he had no objection to bail being granted, some conditions would be difficult to police because they reside at the same address.
He added that the pair “don’t really communicate.”
He also said that the pictures had been removed from the platform but less is certainty about accessibility to the images elsewhere.
Defending barrister Mark Gibbons said the defendant would observe bail conditions and he added that the case is a very unusual one.
The defendant is obliged to sign on twice weekly at a named garda station, provide a mobile phone number to the gardaí and neither to communicate with the injured party nor cause her to be communicated with.
Imposing reporting restrictions, Judge Desmond Zaidan said he was doing so not so much to protect the defendant as the alleged injured party.
The judge said that if the defendant denies the allegations the case is likely to go to the circuit court but a guilty plea would likely mean the case will be heard in the district court.
The matter was adjourned to May 3.