A man who had more than 50 images of child pornography on his computer at his Dublin home has been spared a jail term.
Ronan Phelan (44), from Sandymount Court, Beach Road, Sandymount, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to a charge of knowingly having child pornography in his possession at his home address between June 1st, 2006, and June 24th, 2009.
The court heard he had images of boys and girls as young as nine. He had admitted the offence at an earlier stage and the case had been adjourned until yesterday after the court had asked for probation reports on him to be prepared.
Garda Sgt Barry Walsh told Judge Cormac Dunne that a warrant had been obtained to carry out a search of the man’s home and computer. Phelan had 52 images of boys and girls aged between nine and 13 on his computer. Sgt Walsh said the defendant would not have paid for these images.
Phelan made a voluntary statement admitting the offence and the court heard he had co-operated with detectives during the investigation.
His solicitor Michael Hanahoe said that when an individual looks at this type of material other similar images are often sent to the person’s computer.
He said Mr Phelan admitted the offence to his employer and had tendered his resignation.
The judge also heard that the Probation Service believed Mr Phelan was at low risk of reoffending.
Judge Dunne said Phelan’s behaviour was somewhat explained by events that occurred in his life, and that his remorse had been genuine. He sentenced him to 24 months’ probation and he was was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.