Courts / Dublin / Report

"Taboo seeker" had hundreds of "extreme" child porn images

Summary

Peter McDonagh, 29, of Clontarf, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing almost 1,000 images of child pornography, including more than 500 Category 1 images depicting extreme sexual activity involving children as young as two years old. The images were found on his mobile phones during a search on 18 January 2017, after Canadian authorities alerted Irish police to the material. McDonagh admitted full cooperation and was present during the search. He has minor prior convictions under the Public Order Act and a history of mental health issues, including an adult personality disorder. His defence counsel argued that he was a "taboo seeker" with no paedophilic interest and urged a sentence of probation and welfare support. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to 3 July.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Taboo seeker" had hundreds of "extreme" child porn images. Charges or matters: possessing the images at his home on January 18, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 18, 2017 Incident
• July 3 Adjournment
• 2018-06-18 Publication

Why: Ms Lawlor said that because of his psychiatric vulnerabilities, McDonagh would find prison extraordinarily difficult. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report