Courts / Dublin / Report
Former worker at juvenile residential unit avoids jail for possession of child porn
Summary
Philip Devereux, 51, a former worker at a juvenile residential unit, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography. Gardaí recovered a laptop with 24 illegal images, a floppy disk with six child sex stories, and 13 DVDs containing images of pre‑pubescent boys. The material was analysed by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau in 2017. Devereux had no prior convictions and had cooperated with the investigation, handing over devices and passwords. A psychologist's report and his strong work history were considered. Judge Martin Nolan, following higher court guidance, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence suspended in full, concluding that a custodial sentence was not justified. The case had been delayed by a backlog of material awaiting analysis. The judge noted Devereux's efforts to rehabilitate and the impact of the conviction on his future.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former worker at juvenile residential unit avoids jail for possession of child porn. Charges or matters: two counts of possession of child pornography at his home on January 9, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 9, 2013 Incident
- January 2013 Other
- March 2017 Incident
- 2018-05-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of possession of child pornography at his home on January 9, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan said in relation to Devereux he did not feel a custodial sentence was justified. He imposed a two and a half year sentence which he suspended in full.
Places mentioned
Topics
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