*He will be back before Ennis District Court next month.
A CLARE man has appeared in court charged with the alleged unlawful possession of 947 videos and 1,725 images of child pornography at an Ennis address on different dates over a two year period.
At Ennis District Court, the 45-year old of currently no fixed abode appeared in connection with 14 child pornography and child exploitation charges and Judge Alec Gabbett further remanded the man in custody.
In nine of the fourteen charges, the man is accused of knowingly publishing and encouraging distribution of child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication exportation, sale or show contrary to Section 5(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
The date range for seven of the distribution charges is from January 1st 2023 to May 17th 2023 with the other two distribution and publication charges concerning April 23rd 2025 to May 10th 2025.
The man has not made any application for bail and Sgt Frank O’Grady said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the case is to go forward to the Circuit Court.
In one charge, the man is accused of on April 9th 2025 at an Ennis address of having in possession 1,559 images and 794 videos of child pornography on a ZTE Axaon Mini mobile device contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
A number of weeks later, the man is accused of on May 10th 2025 at the same Ennis address of having in his possessions 22 images and 26 videos of child pornography on a Samsung galaxy A14 mobile device contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
The man is also facing child pornography possession charges from two years previous at the same Ennis address.
On May 17th 2023, the man is charged with knowingly have in his possession 92 images and 82 videos of child pornography on a Samsung Galaxy mobile device at the same Ennis address contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
On the same date at the same address, the accused of having in his possession 52 images and 45 videos of child pornography contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
The man is also charged on a date unknown between May 12th 2023 and May 13th 2023 at his Ennis address did by means of information and communication technology communicate with another person, including a child, for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 17 years, by that person or any other person.
This charge is contrary to Section 8(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
In the case, the man is represented by solicitor, John Casey and Judge Alec Gabbett further remanded the accused in custody via video link to appear at Ennis District Court on March 4th for a Book of Evidence in the case.
