02/10/2013

Child Abuse Images Accused Garda Named

The garda officer accused of possession of more than 650 images of child sexual abuse has been named as 53-year-old Joe O'Connor.

It is alleged that at his home home in west Dublin between July 30 and August 02, 2011, O'Connor possessed 92 images of child explicit sex, 136 images of child exposure, 85 movies of child explicit sex, one movie of child exposure and 314 computer graphic images of pornography depicting children.

At Blanchardstown District Court on Tuesday, reporting restriction on naming O'Connor, a serving garda officer based at Bridewell garda station, were lifted after claims of jeopardising a fair trial were rejected.

O'Connor, who denies all charges against him, will face a trial by judge and jury.

The case was adjourned on Tuesday for four weeks, pending the service of the book of evidence.

(MH/CD)

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