Wicklow man jailed over child abuse video sent to wrong contact
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow man has been sentenced to three months in prison, after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography, which came to the attention of gardaí after he accidentally sent the video to the wrong person.
Conor Kearney (23), of Knockanarrigan, Donard, Co Wicklow, appeared for sentencing before Bray District Court after pleading guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
Detective Garda Dave Smith, attached to the Divisional Protective Services Unit, gave evidence that on September 3, 2023, the accused sent a video file to an incorrect contact on his phone before that person reported what they had received to Baltinglass Garda Station.
A search warrant was later executed at Mr Kearney’s home address, where gardaí seized an iPhone, which was later sent for examination.
The phone contained an 18-second video clip depicting a young boy, aged between six and seven, inserting his penis into a woman who was lying down. He then put his hand into her vagina.
Mr Kearney was later arrested and interviewed, during which he made full admissions. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal on a plea of guilty only.
During cross-examination, barrister for the defendant, Martin Joseph Dully, said the video in question was the only material examined that was “objectionable” in nature.
It was noted that the accused intentionally shared the graphic video with his friends, but accidentally sent it to someone else with the same name in his contact list.
The detective agreed with Mr Dully that sending graphic material via social media has become a regular occurrence.
However, Mr Dully explained that his client had “no sexual interest in children”.
Mr Kearney has 13 previous convictions for endangerment and other road traffic offences, all arising from the same incident, for which he received a two-year suspended sentence at Naas Circuit Criminal Court in March 2026.
Mr Dully said “it is what it appears, my client received it and transmitted it”, but that he does not have any “unusual sexual proclivities”.
In mitigation, the court was told the accused is now employed as a truck mechanic and is from a small community where people are aware of the case, which has had “significant adverse consequences” for him.
A medical report was handed into the court outlining the effects the pending prosecution had on Mr Kearney.
Mr Dully submitted that the court should impose a lenient sentence and not impose a custodial term of imprisonment.
Judge Kennedy remarked that matters of this nature are “incredibly difficult matters to sentence”.
He said there was “something twisted” about the offending, and that it showed Mr Kearney thought it was “a bit of craic”, before sentencing him to three months’ imprisonment.
Recognisance was fixed in the sum of €300 to allow for an appeal.
He appealed the sentence and is due to appear before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in December, where District Court appeals are heard.
Mr Kearney will also be required to be on the Sex Offenders Register for the next five years.