The Irish snooker community has been left reeling in shock and disbelief after a well-known and respected coach, heavily involved with underage players, was confronted by paedophile hunters. The mentor, who helped organise national underage tournaments, allegedly admitted during a sting operation that he intended to meet a girl he believed was just **13 years old** for sex.
Paedophile Hunters Sting Exposes Snooker Coach
In a 44-minute recorded confrontation posted online, the father-of-two was filmed admitting to sending graphic sexual messages, images of his genitals, and pornographic content to someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl. He also reportedly discussed masturbation and sexual acts with the decoy.
When directly asked if he would have had sex with the child if she had turned up at the arranged meeting point, the coach replied “Yes.” He later broke down, saying: “I’m going to jail. My life is over.”
Details of the Shocking Allegations
During the confrontation, the coach allegedly admitted:
- Sending explicit images and videos, including penis pictures and pornographic material
- Discussing sexual acts and masturbation with the decoy
- Arranging to meet the 13-year-old for sex
- Using his work phone to send the explicit messages
He initially claimed he had changed his mind about going through with the meeting, but eventually conceded under questioning that he had intended to follow through. At one point, he explained telling the decoy to bring a drink because “if we were doing sexual acts, it would make her thirsty.”
Snooker Billiards Ireland Responds
Snooker and Billiards Ireland (SB Ireland), the governing body for the sport, has suspended the coach with immediate effect pending a full investigation. In a statement, the organisation confirmed they are cooperating with law enforcement and following their internal governance procedures.
The coach is also accredited by the European Billiards and Snooker Association (EBSA), which has stated that any suspension by SB Ireland will apply across Europe.
Impact on Irish Snooker and Underage Players
The accused man was a prominent figure in Irish snooker, particularly in the Kildare region, where he helped organise and mentor young players at underage tournaments across the country. His arrest has left parents, clubs, and young athletes devastated and concerned about how such a trusted individual could allegedly operate undetected.
This scandal comes as a major blow to a sport that has worked hard to grow participation among children and teenagers in Ireland. Many are now questioning what safeguards are truly in place to protect vulnerable young players.
Coach’s Despair During Confrontation
Throughout the filmed sting, the coach repeatedly expressed despair, stating his life was over and that he knew what he was doing was “wrong” and “illegal.” He admitted to grooming the child and sending explicit content before the recording ended with him in visible distress.
The paedophile hunter group has since handed over a full dossier of evidence to Gardaí for further investigation.
Conclusion
This disturbing case has rocked Irish snooker to its core. A sport built on precision, discipline, and mentorship now finds itself facing one of its darkest scandals. As the Garda investigation continues and Snooker Billiards Ireland carries out its own probe, the focus remains on protecting young players and ensuring such alleged behaviour is never allowed to happen again.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance in youth sports. Parents and clubs across Ireland will no doubt be reviewing their own safeguarding procedures in the wake of these shocking revelations.
Further updates are expected as both the criminal investigation and the governing body’s internal review progress.
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