Courts / Dublin / Report

Greater obligations on tech giants sees rise in child porn cases, court hears

Summary

Bartosz Kepczynski, 43, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at his home on June 19, 2014. The matter is currently at the appeal stage. Judge Pauline Codd suspended an 18-month prison term, imposing a condition that Kepczynski continues to engage with sex offender therapy. The court noted a Probation Service assessment placed him at low risk of re-offending and that he has no other convictions. Detective Garda Cliff Cullen testified that increased obligations on technology companies to notify gardaí of potential child pornography have resulted in more cases being brought to the attention of investigators. The search of Kepczynski's home, triggered by an Interpol investigation, seized computer equipment containing eight still images and one video file. These depicted children aged four to nine being subjected to oral sex and a teenage girl having her underwear removed. Kepczynski stated he downloaded the material out of curiosity and did not find it sexually arousing. Counsel for the defendant objected to certain evidence regarding the categorisation of the material, arguing it was not properly stated. The garda witness noted that applying a five-stage categorisation scale endorsed by the Court of Appeal would be time-consuming and detrimental to analysts. The judge acknowledged the defendant's socially isolated life at the time, noting that the internet may have become his support.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Greater obligations on tech giants sees rise in child porn cases, court hears. Charges or matters: possession of child pornography at his home on June 19, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• June 19, 2014 Incident
• June 2014 Other
• September 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-12-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report