“A momentary lapse of judgement”
A woman who identified the boys convicted of murdering Ana Kriégel on social media has received a fully suspended sentence.
In what was
described in court as “a momentary lapse of judgement”, Louise Heaney (49) posted a photograph featuring the two boys on social media, but removed it shortly after.
Heaney of Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to publishing photos of Boy A and Boy B in Facebook's Messenger app in contravention of the Children’s Act 2001 on June 18, 2021.
Judge Martin Nolan said that Heaney was “probably overcome” with emotion, but that that was no excuse and it is quite a serious crime, reiterating that the court had ordered there should be no publication of any material that would identify the children at the centre of the case.
On handing down the sentence the judge said he took into account the offending was at the lower end of the scale and very few people were likely to see the photograph. There was also no suggestion she took the photo herself.
Judge Nolan sentenced Heaney to 18 months imprisonment, but suspended the whole sentence on certain strict conditions.
Describing his client's character, Heaney's lawyer said she has six children and has fostered many more. He said she has also volunteered with the Rape Crisis Centre.
He described his client's actions as something done very quickly and taken down very quickly and reminded the court that she has never been in trouble before.
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