Courts / Dublin / Report
Music teacher avoids jail for having hundreds of child porn images
Summary
Peter Jennings, a 49‑year‑old music teacher, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography after a five‑year investigation revealed 1,300 unique image files and 11 unique movie files on his computers. The Gardaí found 935 images of child nudity and the rest depicting erotic posing or sexual activity. Jennings had no prior convictions and had not offended since the files were discovered. He had been living at his family home in Dunsink but left it after the offence became public. He worked as a music teacher at Ballyfermot Ceoil, giving after‑school lessons to children aged seven to twelve. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended prison sentence of two and a half years, conditioned on Jennings keeping the peace for that period and engaging with Probation Services. The court noted Jennings' remorse and the absence of distribution or payment for the material.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Music teacher avoids jail for having hundreds of child porn images. Charges or matters: possession of the material at an address in Finglas, Dublin on July 30, 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 30, 2010 Incident
- 2017-11-13 Publication
Why: Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today that it took five years before the files found on his computers could be properly assessed because of resource issues in the garda's computer crime investigations unit. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the material at an address in Finglas, Dublin on July 30, 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan suspended a prison sentence of two and a half years on condition that Jennings keep the peace for that period.
Places mentioned
Topics
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