Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda on trial for possession of child porn had sex complaint made against him, trial told

Date
2018-11-02

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 58‑year‑old Garda Joseph O'Connor pleaded not guilty to five counts of possessing child pornography. The prosecution presented videos seized from his home on 2 August 2011, showing boys under ten and between ten and seventeen in explicit sexual acts, including two files depicting a male adult with a child. O'Connor claimed he had contacted a man via the gay website Manhunt, exchanged texts about sexual activity, and the man stayed overnight at his home. The next morning O'Connor reported the front door slamming, his laptop closed, €20 and his Garda ID missing. He later found the man, who was wearing his badge and handcuffs, and recovered the money. A complaint of a sexual nature was made against O'Connor, but the complainant withdrew it after the Garda Ombudsman's involvement. The case is proceeding before Judge Sheahan with a jury of ten men and two women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda on trial for possession of child porn had sex complaint made against him, trial told. Charges or matters: five counts of possession of child pornography at his home in west Dublin on dates between July 30 and August 2 in 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 30 Incident
August 2 Incident
2018-11-02 Publication

Case subjects

Joseph O'Connor

Accused

Charges: five counts of possession of child pornography at his home in west Dublin on dates between July 30 and August 2 in 2011 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty