Courts / Dublin / Report
Parents request to identify child abuser is turned down
Summary
The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, rejected a request from the parents of two victims to identify a serial child abuser who had been caught with a 127‑page paedophile manual. The appeal also overturned a five‑year custodial term imposed on a 45‑year‑old man for two counts of sexually assaulting a boy, sexual exploitation of a boy, producing child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The court increased the sentence to six years, citing the severity of the offences and the large quantity of child‑pornographic material found on the defendant's devices. The parents had asked for the man's name to be revealed, but the court ruled that naming him would also identify the victims and therefore upheld the ban on disclosure. The decision was made without a separate application to lift the ban, and the judge emphasized that the increased term reflected the overall impact of the offending on the victims.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Parents request to identify child abuser is turned down. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 2019 Incident
- July 11, 2006 Incident
- December 9, 2013 Incident
- 2011 and 2013 Other
- 2021-11-29 Publication
Why: The sentencing court previously said that the man could not be named because his identification could also identify the victims. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: The man had been sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on two counts of sexually assaulting a boy, sexual exploitation of a boy and producing child pornography. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later appealed the sentence imposed by Judge Melanie Greally in April 2019, arguing that insufficient weight had been given to the aggravating factors and a longer sentence was required.
Places mentioned
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