Michael Flanagan pleads guilty to possessing child abuse material

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

Michael Flanagan pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child abuse material at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the report published on 7 February 2017; sentencing was adjourned.

The offences concerned material found during searches of homes in Artane and Clontarf, including 18 images, 35 further images and a video depicting the sexual abuse of an unconscious child who appeared to be about five years old.

Judge Karen O’Connor said the video was of particular concern and remanded Flanagan on continuing bail. The court was told he admitted ownership of the files, while his counsel sought a non-custodial sentence.