Dublin, – A 50-year-old married father of two, David Slattery of Priory Square, Celbridge, Co Kildare, has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a teenage girl he befriended on Snapchat and possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentencing took place today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Martin Nolan described Slattery’s actions as serious, stating that he “broke the law and preyed upon” his victims.
The court heard that Slattery, who has three prior minor road traffic convictions, met the then 16-year-old girl on Snapchat in the summer of 2023. Over the course of their interactions, he took her to a hotel on two occasions, provided her with money, alcohol, a vape, mobile phone credit, fast food, and cocaine, and engaged in sexual activity with her multiple times. Slattery pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a child for sexual exploitation and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material, asserting he believed both girls involved were 17 years old at the time.
The case came to light on August 28, 2023, when Slattery was stopped by Garda Cillian Duffy over a road tax issue with his Mercedes. The teenage girl was a passenger in the vehicle. When questioned about their relationship, Slattery claimed she was his daughter’s friend and that he was dropping her home. However, he could not provide an address, and the girl was unable to name Slattery’s supposed daughter. Suspicious, the garda called for a female officer to intervene, and the girl’s parents were notified.
At the station, the girl initially hesitated to speak in front of her father but later confided to a female garda in private. She revealed that Slattery had befriended her on Snapchat, that she was 16 but had told him she was 17, and that he gave her money in exchange for “sexual stuff.” Subsequent interviews with specialist gardaà detailed how Slattery supplied her with various items and, on one occasion, rubbed cocaine on her gums before attempting intercourse and ultimately engaging in anal sex. On a second hotel visit, he left her two €50 notes after further sexual activity.
In her victim impact statement, read in court by Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, the now 17-year-old girl described the profound toll of the exploitation. “I was a victim and a child just looking for a friend,” she said. “That friend just wanted to use me, but as a child, I didn’t see it like that.” She explained that her family began treating her differently after the crime surfaced, making her feel blamed. “I have been robbed of my safety and sense of trust, left with memories I don’t want and scars that will live with me forever,” she added. She credited counseling with helping her realize Slattery’s wrongdoing, stating, “I don’t know what justice looks like for someone like me. I don’t know if anything can undo the pain caused to me. But I deserve to be acknowledged. I deserve to be heard.”
A search of Slattery’s home in September 2023 uncovered two images and two videos of child sexual abuse material on his device, sent by another teenage girl, aged approximately 13 at the time. Although tracked down by gardaÃ, this second victim declined to participate in a criminal investigation. Slattery maintained he believed she was 17.
Judge Nolan acknowledged mitigating factors but emphasized the gravity of the offenses, stating, “Slattery must suffer a prison term for what he did.” Slattery was arrested in March 2024 and made no comment during questioning beyond claiming he thought the girl he exploited was over the age of consent.
Defence counsel Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC argued that Slattery was “extremely remorseful,” submitting letters of apology to the victim and the court. In one letter, Slattery described himself as “a man with no moral compass” during the offending period. The court also received a letter from his wife detailing his difficult childhood and heard that Slattery had struggled with a cocaine addiction, from which he has since recovered. He has reportedly aided others in overcoming drug addiction and maintained a solid work history, including employment with a family business.
The victim attended the sentencing hearing, supported by the court’s recognition of her trauma and resilience.
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