An electronics engineer was released on bail at Youghal District Court, Co Cork, yesterday after being charged with three separate counts of possessing child pornography.
Mr John Chawke (40), with an address at Kilcoleman East, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, replied "Not guilty" when charged with the three offences, Sgt Jack Gaine told Judge John O'Neill.
Mr Chawke was charged with knowingly possessing child pornography at two addresses in Youghal in or about May 1999, 19th July, 1999, and 26th July, 1999, all contrary to Section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
Sgt Gaine said gardai had no objection to Mr Chawke getting bail on the charges once it involved a substantial independent surety, and Supt Liam Hayes said gardai would be asking Mr Chawke to surrender his passport to obtain bail.
But Mr Chawke's solicitor, Mr David Keane, said that his client
worked for a multinational company and travelled abroad a lot. He pointed out that Mr Chawke had turned up voluntarily at the court by arrangement with gardai involved in the case.
Judge O'Neill said the charges were serious but he noted that Mr Chawke had turned up voluntarily in court. He remanded him in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of£750 and an independent surety of £750 to Youghal District Court on October 6th.
Mr Chawke was later released when £250 cash of his own bail and £250 cash from the independent surety were lodged in court. Judge O'Neill ordered that Mr Chawke report every Saturday to Askeaton Garda station.