Child pornography and soliciting charges against a Garda sergeant have been referred by a District Court judge to a higher court.
Sgt Kieran O'Halloran of Fiveoaks, Drogheda, Co Louth, was remanded on continuing bail to appear at the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court.
A further summary charge of soliciting was listed for mention at Dublin District Court on October 14th.
The book of evidence was served in the Dublin District Court yesterday before Judge Gibbons, who ordered that the case be moved to the Circuit Criminal Court.
Sgt O'Halloran, who is married with one child, has been suspended from the Garda Síochána since December 14th.
He faces three charges of child pornography and soliciting.
The crime prevention officer is accused of possessing child pornography at his home on December 8th, contrary to Section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.
He is also alleged to have solicited a woman on December 6th in the Dublin region to organise or knowingly facilitate the use of a female child for the purpose of her sexual exploitation.
These charges were referred to the Circuit Criminal Court.
The third, summary, charge was referred for mention at the District Court, that he solicited the same woman on the same date for the purpose of committing an act which would have constituted an offence under a section of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1935, which was amended by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1997.
Sgt O'Halloran appeared before Judge Gibbons in a black hooded fleece, green shirt and tie, khaki trousers and brown shoes.
He said nothing during the brief hearing in the crowded courtroom.