The State has been allowed five weeks to complete a book of evidence in the case of a Dublin-based Garda awaiting trial for possessing child pornography.
Joe O’Connor (53), who is stationed at a city-centre Garda station, is accused of possession of 655 child abuse images at his west Dublin home between July 30th and August 2nd, 2011. Mr O’Connor denies the charges.
The charges, which are under section 6(1) child trafficking act 1998, relate to images and movie files of child explicit sex, child exposure and computer graphic images.
It is alleged he had 92 images of child explicit sex, 136 images of child exposure, 85 movies of child explicit sex, one movie file of child exposure and 341 other computer graphic images of child porn.
It had been indicated that his case could be dealt with by the district court, where penalties are less severe, if he pleaded guilty to the charges.
However, in October Judge David McHugh heard at Blanchardstown District Court that the officer would be pleading not guilty. This means that the case, once a book of evidence has been prepared, will go forward for trial before a judge and jury at the Circuit Court, which can, on conviction, impose lengthier sentences.
The officer appeared again at Blanchardstown District Court today where Judge McHugh was told the book of evidence was not yet ready to be served on Garda O’Connor.
A State solicitor explained that the case involved several statements and the latest had been received yesterday.
Defence solicitor Richard Young told Judge McHugh his client is getting irritated by the delay. The officer was remanded on continuing bail for another five weeks when it is expected he will be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial.
On October 1st last, reporting restrictions were lifted and Garda O'Connor lost a legal bid to remain anonymous following submissions by lawyers for RTÉ, the Irish Daily Mail and Independent Newspapers.
Legal aid has already been granted to the 53-year-old after the court heard he had a substantial mortgage and there had been a significant reduction in his circumstances.