Courts / Dublin / Report

Child porn found after security guard brought laptop in for repair

Summary

A 66‑year‑old man named Alan Clarke, who worked as a security guard at the FÁS Training Centre in Loughlinstown, was found to possess child pornography after he brought his laptop to the centre for repair. The centre's IT staff discovered 41 videos and 28 images depicting boys and girls aged 5 to 15 in sexual activities or poses. Clarke admitted to having a "curiosity" about such material and said he had lost interest the previous month. The material was determined to have been downloaded between March and May 2009. Clarke denied paying for the material and claimed no evidence of sharing or profiting from it. He had a prior assault conviction from 1987. The case was adjourned pending a psychiatric report, with a new hearing scheduled for June 20. The court heard that Clarke did not attempt to destroy the hard drive after being advised to do so. Alan Clarke pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Child porn found after security guard brought laptop in for repair. Charges or matters: possession of child pornography at FÁS Training Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Co Dublin, on June 2, 2009. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• June 2, 2009 Incident
• June 20 Adjournment
• 2019-03-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report