HIDDEN IDENTITY | 

Sex offender (43) broke rules by using ‘middle name’ to ask about rental properties

Daniel Connolly was convicted of the possession of child pornography in 2020 for which he received a three year suspended sentenc

Yesterday at 14:49

A convicted sex offender used an inaccurate email address to inquire about rental properties in contravention of Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 a recent sitting of Bantry District Court was told.

Prosecuting, Sgt. Trish O’ Sullivan told the court that it was alleged that Daniel Connolly (43) of Ardnatrush, Glengarriff Co. Cork, made several property queries via email using the name Chris Connolly in September 2023.

Under the terms of the act offenders must not attempt to hide their identity.

Mr Connolly’s solicitor Eimear Griffin told the court that her client had attempted to create a Gmail account under the name Daniel but there were too many users already of a similar name and it was simpler for him to use his middle name Chris instead.

She said that her client had not intended to break the terms of the Act and was in regular contact with local gardaí.

She added that he takes his responsibilities in this regard very seriously.

The court heard that Mr Connolly was convicted of the possession of child pornography in 2020 for which he received a three year suspended sentence.

The court was also told that he had further convictions dating from 2005 which resulted in him being subject to Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act.

Ms Griffin told the court that since his conviction Mr Connolly had been seeking employment but his record made it very difficult for him to find work.

“He has applied for every job going but he’s coming up against a brick wall,” she said.

She added that he was living with his parents and suffered from depression for which he was receiving medication and had also been in counselling to help deal with his situation.

Judge James McNulty convicted Connolly and deferred sentencing.

Connolly was remanded on bail to appear before the court again on April 25th to enable the completion of a probation report and an assessment of his suitability for community service.