Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for IT worker caught with hundreds of child abuse images

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark Moran, 44, received a suspended 21‑month prison sentence for possession of 782 images and 20 films of child sexual abuse material seized from his home in 2015. The court noted that no aggravating factors such as distribution were present, and that Moran had no prior convictions. He pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and acknowledged that the material was not downloaded intentionally. Judge Martin Nolan applied a non‑custodial option in line with Court of Appeal precedent, imposing a fully suspended sentence on strict conditions. Moran's admission of guilt, lack of previous offences, and mitigating circumstances were considered, and the judge warned that any repeat offence would be treated differently. The sentence reflects the seriousness of possession of child sexual abuse material while recognising the absence of aggravating conduct.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for IT worker caught with hundreds of child abuse images. Charges or matters: possession of child sexual abuse material, referred to in law as child pornography. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• June 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-10-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report