Courts / Cork / Report
Primary teacher caught with child abuse imagery removed from register
Summary
In March 2020 the High Court confirmed the removal of former deputy primary school principal Brian Fitzgerald from the teaching register after his conviction for child pornography offences. Fitzgerald, a 50‑year‑old former teacher, pleaded guilty in 2017 to possession of 555 images and 1,162 videos of children under 17, and to distributing over 50 images of child pornography. He also possessed 529 category two images and 1,018 videos of children under 18 with exposed genitalia. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, to be served at Midlands Prison. The Teaching Council, following an investigation, imposed a disciplinary order removing him from the register and barred him from applying for reinstatement for 15 years. Fitzgerald had initially denied the allegations but later admitted the offences. The High Court upheld the council's sanction as appropriate.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Primary teacher caught with child abuse imagery removed from register. Charges or matters: one count of possession of child pornography on 6th May, 2017 and four charges of distributing over 50 images of child pornography on dates in February, March, and April 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 6th May Incident
- April 2017 Incident
- 2020-03-31 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of possession of child pornography on 6th May, 2017 and four charges of distributing over 50 images of child pornography on dates in February, March, and April 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Fitzgerald, with an address at Links Road, Youghal, Co Cork, was sentenced to three years in prison, to be served in the Midlands Prison, with the final 18 months suspended.
Places mentioned
- The High Court
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- High Court
- Midlands Prison
Topics
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