Courts / Dublin / Report
Man tweeted child abuse imagery
Summary
In a Dublin case, Derek Malone, aged 59, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography images and videos at his Ballyfermot home on 27 January 2016. Garda Martin O'Gara reported that authorities discovered the activity on a Twitter account in September 2015, identifying 19 images that could be child pornography. A search warrant led to the seizure of a black mobile phone, from which eight images and three videos of naked prepubescent girls engaging in sexual acts with other children were found. Malone admitted to viewing pornography for some time and acknowledged that some material was illegal, expressing regret. The prosecution noted his alcohol use and his wife's health issues as contextual factors. Judge Melanie Greally, considering his remorse and the offence's timing, imposed a nine‑month prison sentence suspended in full, conditional on Malone's participation in the Probation Service to address his alcohol abuse. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence while allowing for rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man tweeted child abuse imagery. Charges or matters: possession of images and videos of child pornography at his address on January 27, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 27, 2016 Incident
- September 2015 Incident
- 2021-11-03 Publication
Why: Gda O'Gara agreed with Michael Hourigan BL, defending, that the offending was "highly unsophisticated" and was always going to be detected because it was done via social media. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of images and videos of child pornography at his address on January 27, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Greally sentenced Malone to nine months imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety on condition that he engage with the Probation Service, particularly with regard to his alcohol abuse.
Places mentioned
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