A Clondalkin man who used apps like SnapChat and Instagram to sexually exploit young girls will be sentenced on Friday.
26-year-old Matthew Horan of St. Johns Crescent also admitted possessing and distributing videos and pictures of child abuse.
Hundreds of images and videos showing children as young as two being sexually abused were found on Matthew Horan’s computer, hard drives and phones when Gardaí searched his home in July 2015.
A reference to ‘The Paedophile Handbook’ was found on his web browser and thousands of files containing animated child porn were also uncovered.
The father of one of six identified Irish victims said his daughter was just 9 when she was targeted.
The mother of another said she felt she failed to protect her daughter. Another nine victims have yet to be identified.
The court heard he coerced them online and even threatened to send explicit photos of one victim to all of her friends if she didn't send him more. Her threat to take her own life didn't deter him.
The man, described by his barrister as a “perpetual loner” who’s on the autism spectrum, will be sentenced on Friday.
