Courts / Dublin / Report
GP gets suspended sentence for distributing child abuse material
Summary
Ronan Keogan, a 51‑year‑old former GP, received a fully‑suspended one‑year prison sentence for distributing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing child pornography at an unknown location in March 2017 and to possessing three child pornography images in May 2017. Gardaí found 10,000 images on his phone, including three child‑pornographic images, one of which he sent to an adult woman he was meeting for sex. Keogan claimed the girl in the image was 15, later stating 17. He was described as engaging in "thrill‑seeking behaviour", meeting many women online, and had a history of anxiety and depression. The judge noted the impact on his career and family, imposed the suspended sentence, and noted he would become a registered sex offender. No other convictions or charges were mentioned.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: GP gets suspended sentence for distributing child abuse material. Charges or matters: one count of knowingly distributing child pornography at an unknown location within the State on March 26, 2017; one count of possessing three child pornography images at an address in Templeogue, Dublin, on May 15, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 26, 2017 Incident
- May 15, 2017 Incident
- March 27, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-05-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of knowingly distributing child pornography at an unknown location within the State on March 26, 2017; one count of possessing three child pornography images at an address in Templeogue, Dublin, on May 15, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a one-year prison sentence and suspended it on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for that period.; After hearing evidence last month, Ms Justice Patricia Ryan adjourned the case to today for sentencing.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin District Court
- College Square
- Cork
- woman presented to Clontarf Garda Station
Topics
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