Courts / Dublin / Report

Former Defence Forces member caught with 14 child abuse videos

Date
2022-06-21

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Lucan

County
Dublin

Summary

Adrian Short, 45, a former Irish Defence Forces member, pleaded guilty to possessing seven images and 14 videos of child pornography. The case was adjourned to allow an independent risk assessment before sentencing. Judge Melanie Greally ordered the Probation Service to conduct the assessment as part of a probation report to determine if additional safeguards are required. Short was arrested after a warrant was obtained following a referral from the Garda National Protective Bureau. A search on March 29, 2021, found a Samsung Galaxy phone and other devices; the phone held sexually explicit images of children and videos of adults abusing children. Short admitted to accessing the material, including via the Telegram app, and claimed he had been sexually abused by his father as a child. He has been in counselling and the case will be finalised on October 21.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former Defence Forces member caught with 14 child abuse videos. Charges or matters: possession of seven images and 14 videos of child pornography at Griffeen Glen Drive, Lucan, Co Dublin on March 29, 2021. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

March 29, 2021 Incident
May 24, 2021 Incident
October 21 Adjournment
2022-06-21 Publication

Why: Detective Duncan said Short accessed the images using the Telegram app and was identified because he used his phone number as his ID. CNI source report