Courts / Dublin / Report
Man avoids jail for sharing child abuse material
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Ye Lin Aung, a 48‑year‑old father of one, received an 18‑month suspended sentence for possession of and knowingly distributing child pornography between 1 January and 30 August 2020. Gardaí seized two phones and a USB key from his shared bedroom; one phone contained four images and four videos depicting children aged three to ten in sexually explicit activities, including a 12‑year‑old girl undressing. Aung admitted he had joined Facebook and WhatsApp groups to view adult pornography but had also shared child‑pornographic material, claiming he did not seek it out or derive sexual gratification. He had no prior convictions and cooperated fully, providing PIN codes and login details. Judge Melanie Greally noted the case's recklessness and the very young ages involved, but considered his cooperation, employment record and lack of previous offences before suspending the sentence on strict conditions. Ye Lin Aung pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man avoids jail for sharing child abuse material. Charges or matters: possession of child pornography and knowingly distributing child pornography on dates between January 1, 2020 and August 30, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2020 Incident
- August 30, 2020 Incident
- 2021-10-27 Publication
Why: "It was not through any effort on his own part to obtain or access child pornography, but because of his interest in adult pornography," that he received these files, Judge Greally said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of child pornography and knowingly distributing child pornography on dates between January 1, 2020 and August 30, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Greally took into account Aung's co-operation with the gardaí and "candid" admissions, his employment record and lack of previous convictions before she suspended an 18-month sentence on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
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