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Man who distributed child abuse material claimed he was acting as 'vigilante'
Summary
Murilo Dos Santos, 36, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material between November 2020 and January 2021. Gardaí seized his phone during a separate investigation, finding 66 videos that contravened the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. Dos Santos shared these videos with six others via a sharing app and WhatsApp, including a 5‑minute clip of a child aged 6‑12 months strapped down, and other footage of children aged 8‑12 and 10‑14 years in sexual activity. He also sent a MEGA folder link and a photograph of himself, claiming he was acting as a vigilante. Judge Orla Crowe revoked his bail and remanded him in custody until 1 December 2025 pending sentencing. No other participants were prosecuted. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who distributed child abuse material claimed he was acting as 'vigilante'. Charges or matters: possession of images of child sexual abuse, known in law as child pornography and to distribution of the material on dates between November 18, 2020 and January 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 18, 2020 Incident
- January 2021 Incident
- October 2020 Other
- November 2020 Other
- September 2020 Other
- December 1, 2025 Adjournment
- 2025-07-21 Publication
Why: It was further accepted that at one point during his interview, Dos Santos suggested to gardaí that he was accessing this material because he was "acting in the capacity of a vigilante". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of images of child sexual abuse, known in law as child pornography and to distribution of the material on dates between November 18, 2020 and January 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge revoked Dos Santos bail and remanded him in custody until December 1, 2025 for sentence.; The judge revoked Dos Santos bail and remanded him in custody until December 1, 2025 for sentence.
Places mentioned
- North Circular Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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