Courts / Dublin / Report
Man (69) avoids jail for possession and distribution of child abuse material
Summary
Gerard O'Neill, aged 69, received a fully suspended two‑year sentence for possessing and distributing child pornography. He was arrested in March 2018 after 225 videos were found on a laptop, hard drive and two CDs seized from his Dublin home in May 2015. The videos, dated between 15 April and 13 May 2015, included 214 scenes of pre‑teen boys with other children or adults and 11 scenes of boys with exposed genitalia. O'Neill pleaded guilty to the offences. In 2019 Judge Melanie Greally placed him on a two‑year probation bond, ordering sex‑offender treatment and compliance with the probation officer. At sentencing, she noted his remorse, the loss of his home and social isolation, and imposed strict conditions: no contact with children except in the presence of parents for two years and full compliance with the Probation Service for six months. The sentence was suspended in its entirety.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man (69) avoids jail for possession and distribution of child abuse material. Charges or matters: possessing child pornography videos and distributing videos of child pornography at his home on dates between April 15 and May 13, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2015 Incident
- March 2018 Incident
- April 15 Incident
- May 13, 2015 Incident
- 2021-06-30 Publication
Why: She accepted that he later had to sell his home and O'Neill felt he sold it at "an incredible loss because of the damage caused to the property". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing child pornography videos and distributing videos of child pornography at his home on dates between April 15 and May 13, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Greally said a report from the Probation Service is of the view O'Neill has developed "very considerable" insight and understanding of his behaviour and the risk factors he has to be alive to into the future. Judge Greally sentenced O'Neill to two years imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for six months.
Places mentioned
- Deerpark Road
- Kiltipper Way
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request