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Delay in fully investigating case involving child abuse images "unhealthy", says judge
Summary
In a 2017 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan criticised a prolonged delay in investigating a child‑abuse case involving Dominic Morley, a 69‑year‑old former resident of North William Street. Morley's laptop, seized in October 2009, contained 38 sexually explicit images of children, some depicting minors in sexual acts with adults. Gardaí had the laptop for five years before a full analysis was conducted, revealing prepubescent girls and boys with exposed genitals and sexual activity with adults. Morley pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography for an unknown period between 1 July 2007 and 13 October 2009. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and received a two‑year suspended sentence. Morley, with no prior convictions, admitted regret and claimed he acted while "suffering excruciating loneliness.".
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Delay in fully investigating case involving child abuse images "unhealthy", says judge. Charges or matters: possession of child pornography on dates unknown between July 1, 2007 and October 13, 2009 at his flat. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 1, 2007 Incident
- October 13, 2009 Incident
- July 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-05-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of child pornography on dates unknown between July 1, 2007 and October 13, 2009 at his flat (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Handing down a two-year suspended sentence, Judge Martin Nolan criticised the delay in bringing the case to court. "It's very unfair that these matters take so long to come to court," he said, pointing out that the gardaí had Mr Morley's laptop for five years before the matter was investigated fully. "This type of delay is unhealthy," Judge Nolan said.
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