A former Fine Gael councillor has been sent forward for trial accused of human trafficking and possessing child sex abuse material.
Dr Bill Tormey (73), of Glasnevin Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, was served with a book of evidence on Friday at Dublin District Court.
It is alleged that he “did knowingly facilitate the entry into the State of a person whom you knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or a person who intended to seek asylum”.
The offence is alleged to have happened on August 4th, 2021, at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport and is contrary to section two of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act, 2000.
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The second charge states that on June 6th, 2022, Dr Tormey knowingly possessed seven images of child pornography at his home address, an offence under Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. He has yet to enter a plea.
The prosecution follows an investigation by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
State solicitor Niamh McKernan said the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to the accused being sent forward for trial. Judge Kelly told the accused he must appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on February 14th. After granting the return-for-trial order, she remanded him on €400 bail.
The court heard Dr Tormey, who served as a Fine Gael member of Dublin City Council from 2004 to 2014, has surrendered his passport and the judge warned him “not to apply for further travel documents” and to have no contact, directly or indirectly, including via social media, with any witnesses. He did not address the court but indicated he understood the conditions.
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