A FORMER garda said a colleague carried out a “calculated, predatory act of violence” by impersonating her online and inciting men to come to her home and rape her.
Shane Flanagan, 39, with an address in Co Clare, impersonated the woman on the fetish website, FetLife.com, and on Facebook for the purpose of arranging for people to come to her home and rape her.
He created the accounts using the woman’s personal information, and shared details including her address, and photos of her and her daughters.
Flanagan pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting two men to rape the woman on dates between November and December 2020.
He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangerment, in that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in impersonating the woman in Facebook communications, and on the website FetLife.com.
Reading her victim impact statement, the woman said Flanagan was a fellow garda, someone she had trusted as a friend, who was supposed to uphold the same professional values.
She said that Flanagan had “plotted” to have her and her daughters attacked, and he “planned for men to find us and carry out unspeakable acts of violence”.
The court had heard evidence of an extensive investigation, which connected the Fetlife account impersonating the woman to Flanagan.
In a letter of apology read to the court, Flanagan said that he felt “deep guilt, shame” and understands “I did not just cause fear, I destroyed a sense of fear, dignity and trust”.
Ms Justice Eileen Creedon remanded Flanagan in custody for finalisation of sentence next month.
Shane Flanagan impersonated the woman on the fetish website FetLife.com and on Facebook for the purpose of arranging for people to come to her home and rape her[/caption]
