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Man (67) who sent child abuse images to undercover FBI agent is jailed
Summary
Dermot Whelan, 67, of The Crescent, Belgard Heights, Tallaght, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography on two computer devices and to knowingly distributing child pornography between October 2012 and July 2014. He was found to have hundreds of child abuse images, including 53 explicit images, 182 exposure images, and three explicit videos, on a laptop seized by Gardaí following an undercover FBI operation that had placed an advertisement to attract users of child pornography. Whelan admitted viewing and emailing the material, claiming he was sexually aroused by it and that he had not bought or contributed to it. The judge noted the seriousness of creating a market for child abuse and imposed strict conditions for the suspended term, including compliance with the Probation Service for two years. No prior convictions were recorded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man (67) who sent child abuse images to undercover FBI agent is jailed. Charges or matters: possession of child pornography on two computer devices at his address on July 21, 2014; knowingly distributing child pornography at his address on an unknown date between October 20, 2012 and July 21, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 21, 2014 Incident
- October 20, 2012 Incident
- 2020-07-09 Publication
Why: Passing sentence today, Judge Elma Sheahan said the offences charged were very serious because they involved "the creation of a market for the abuse of children". CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possession of child pornography on two computer devices at his address on July 21, 2014; knowingly distributing child pornography at his address on an unknown date between October 20, 2012 and July 21, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Sheahan sentenced Whelan to three years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for two years post release.
Places mentioned
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