Courts / Dublin / Report
Former security guard will be jailed for having child abuse material
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Melanie Greally announced her intention to sentence former security guard Owen Shannon, aged 53, to imprisonment after he admitted downloading approximately 3,500 images and videos of child sexual abuse. The material, seized from two laptops, a computer and a hard drive, included children as young as five and some as young as three, with many classified as Category 1. Shannon, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty in December 2016 to possessing child pornography. The judge deferred sentencing until after Shannon's father, who is in his 80s, is vaccinated against Covid‑19, and will impose a partly suspended sentence with an 18‑month custodial period. Shannon has lived a solitary life, caring for his ill mother and father, and has expressed remorse for his actions. The case highlights the seriousness of child sexual exploitation offenses.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former security guard will be jailed for having child abuse material. Charges or matters: possessing child pornography at his home on June 23, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 23, 2016 Adjournment
- March 2 Adjournment
- May 19 Adjournment
- 2021-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing child pornography at his home on June 23, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said her intention was to defer sentence until such time as Shannon's father is vaccinated against Covid-19. Judge Greally agreed to adjourn sentencing to May 19 next and indicated she would then impose a partly suspended sentence which would include an 18-month custodial period.; Judge Melanie Greally then adjourned the case to March 2 and ordered a Probation Service assessment of Shannon.
Places mentioned
- Carrick Hill Road
- Portmarnock
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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