*The case will be before Ennis Circuit Court later this month.
A 58-year old man has been returned for trial concerning having in his unlawful possession 1,544 images of child sexual abuse and 225 videos on a hard drive.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett returned the man with a South-East Clare address to trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court later this month after a Book of Evidence was served in the case.
In the case, the man is charged with on July 21st 2021 at his South-East Clare home that he did knowingly have in his unlawful possession on a Blue My Passport Hard Drive containing 1,544 images of child sex abuse material and 225 videos of child sexual abuse material.
The alleged offence is contrary to Section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.
On the same date at the same South-East Clare address, the man is charged with having in his possession on a Samsung 9 mobile phone 464 images of child sexual abuse material and 228 videos of child sexual abuse material contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.
In charges brought by Garda Keith Taylor of Sixmilebridge Garda Station, the man is also facing charges of having on an iPhone 11 mobile phone of having in unlawful possession 241 images of child sexual abuse material at his home on July 21st 2021 at his South-East Clare address.
In a third charge the man is charged that on dates between November 11th 2016 and December 2016 did knowingly produce child pornography by way of a text document named ‘Test Plan S.docx’ and knowingly possess any child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act
In a fourth charge, the man is charged with unlawful possession of an eMachine laptop containing eight images of child sexual abuse material contrary to Section 6 of the Child Trafficking Act.
Garda Sarah Murphy gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence in the case.
Solicitor, Monica Roche told Judge Gabbett that there was no application for legal aid.
Judge Gabbett gave the accused an alibi warning and told him that he had an alibi to the alleged offences that he had within fourteen days to inform the State.
Judge Gabbett told the man, “I am finished with you in this court and you are moving to the next court down the corridor and Ms Roche will advise you when you are to appear there”.
Sgt John Burke said that the accused is on station bail and Judge Gabbett remanded the man on continuing bail.
