Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for man caught with abuse images of children being caged
Summary
A 48-year-old man from Dublin has been sentenced to one year in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. Alan Keating, formerly of County Galway, was arrested following a 2017 investigation initiated by Swiss authorities and Interpol. Gardaí executed a search warrant at his home while he was abroad, seizing a laptop containing 330 images and 719 videos depicting child sexual abuse. Among the most serious material were extreme images showing children bound and confined. A further 23,604 uncategorised files were also discovered. During the search, gardaí located a document outlining inappropriate conduct with children. The court heard Keating had shared files on an online platform on ten occasions. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged mitigating factors including Keating's early guilty plea, cooperation, clean record, and engagement with therapy following seizure of the device. However, the judge noted the distribution element and the disturbing nature of documentation found. Keating will be placed on the Sex Offender Register.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man caught with abuse images of children being caged. Charges or matters: the possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on April 29, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 29, 2017 Incident
- 2025-12-04 Publication
Why: These files could not be viewed because they had been deleted or partially deleted, and specialised forensic software would be required to view them. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on April 29, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He sentenced Keating to one year in prison from today's date.
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