Dublin Man Jailed for 27 Months After Gardaí Uncover 1.4 Million Child Abuse Images

Dublin:  A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after Gardaí discovered nearly 1.5 million images and videos of child sexual abuse material in his possession. Stephen Byrne, who began accessing such content at the age of 13, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at his former rented home on Harolds Cross Road, Terenure, Dublin 6, on March 2, 2022. He had no previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Gardaí launched an investigation into the accessing of suspected child sexual abuse material, leading to a search warrant for Byrne’s residence. Detective Garda Mairead McKinney told the court that nine electronic devices were seized during the operation. Seven of those devices were later found to contain illegal material.

A detailed forensic examination uncovered 1,440,675 images and videos, depicting children engaged in sexually explicit acts with adults or other children, as well as material involving children exposing their genitalia. The victims were predominantly girls aged between six and 15 years old.

Byrne presented himself by appointment at Tallaght Garda Station on August 16, 2024, where he took full responsibility for the devices. He admitted to accessing child abuse material from the age of 13 via the Dark Web, WhatsApp groups, and various social media platforms.

Defence: Childhood Trauma, Addiction and Counselling

Defence counsel Marc Thompson Grolimund SC said Byrne had been adopted from Russia at a young age and had a troubled upbringing. He noted that Byrne had previously been physically and verbally abusive towards his adoptive parents but said his behaviour had improved significantly since the Garda search.

Following the raid, Byrne developed addictions to drugs and alcohol but has since undergone counselling and therapy. Thompson argued that Byrne was making progress and asked the court to allow him to “stay on the road” toward rehabilitation.

Judge: Long-Term Offending Cannot Be Excused

Judge Martin Nolan noted that Byrne’s offending had continued over many years, ceasing only when he was around 21 or 22 years old.

“What is forgivable as a younger child is not forgivable when you are 18 or 19 years old,” the judge said.

While acknowledging Byrne’s lack of prior convictions, family support, and efforts at rehabilitation, Judge Nolan emphasised the seriousness of the offence. He identified the vast number of images and the prolonged period of offending as major aggravating factors.

Setting a headline sentence of four and a half years, Judge Nolan reduced it to 27 months after considering Byrne’s cooperation with Gardaí, his early admissions, and other mitigating factors.