Dean Madden jailed for 16 months over child abuse material

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Dean Madden was jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to possessing, producing and distributing child abuse material. The offences occurred in March 2024, and he also admitted simple drug possession.

A search of his home on March 15, 2024 led to the seizure of a phone and SD card. Analysis found 3,832 images and 162 videos; the court heard that 1,601 images and 151 videos were in the most serious category, and 1,818 images were classified as child exposure images. The production and distribution charges concerned two written exchanges with another app user. The court heard there was no suggestion Madden had inappropriate contact with a child.