A 36 year old man who was identified by garda specialists as having a large quantity of serious child abuse images in his possession has been jailed for eighteen months.
Jamie Healy of Tivoli Woods, in the city appeared before the Circuit Criminal Court today after he pleaded guilty to having the images of child abuse in his possession at a property at
Templeacre Avenue, Gurranabraher, on October 22nd 2018.
The offences were detected by the National Protective Services Bureau of the Gardai's online child exploitation unit and the charges related to 1,925 files seized consisting of 1,834 images and 91 movie files.
The court heard that Gardaí were notified of an IP address being used at the address of the accused and a warrant was obtained to search his house.
Jamie Healy co-operated with Gardaí even though he initially denied any knowledge of wrongdoing.
Two mobile phones were seized by gardai from the property and the child abuse images were found on both phones.
When formally questioned Jamie Healy admitted possession of the material and the court heard that he did not share the images and no-one was aware of what he was searching online.
In sentencing Judge Dara Hayes said that he was conscious that Jamie Healy had lost his marriage arising out of his offending and had made three attempts on his life. He has not come to the attention of gardai since the detection.
His defense barrister said that whilst the offence was serious his client had entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity and was deeply remorseful for his actions and has entered counselling in relation to his offending behaviour.
Judge Hayes sentenced Jamie Healy to two years in prison with six months suspended.
