Cork man remanded over alleged child porn offence in Co Kerry

A Cork man arrested in Hungary two weeks ago on foot of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) in connection with alleged child pornography offences in Co Kerry, was remanded in custody on Monday, after a bench warrant for his arrest was executed before a special sitting of Limerick Circuit Court.

Daniel Connolly (39), of Ardnatrush, Glengarrif, Co Cork, was arrested in Budapest on December 11th last, on foot of the EAW, which had been generated from a bench warrant previously issued by Tralee Circuit Court.

He was extradited to Ireland last Friday, December 20th, and arrested by gardaí at Dublin Airport on the outstanding bench warrant, before being taken to Killarney garda station to be processed.

Aidan Judge, state solicitor for Co Limerick, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, applied to have Mr Connolly remanded in custody to sittings of Tralee Circuit Court on February 11th, 2020.

“Mr Connolly was delivered to Dublin on foot of an EAW bench warrant,” Mr Judge told the court.

Det Garda Richie Naughton, Killarney Garda station, told the court he arrested Mr Connolly “at Dublin Airport at 9pm” last Friday, “on foot of a Circuit Court bench warrant”.

‘No difficulty’

Det Garda Naughton agreed with defence barrister Mark Nicholas SC that it was "fair to say that [Mr Connolly] didn't contest the EAW and there was no difficulty when you arrested him".

Mr Nicholas said he was not applying for bail for Mr Connolly but “might review” this at a later stage. He asked the court make an order recommending Mr Connolly be remanded to Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin or to the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.

Judge Patrick Meghan remanded Mr Connolly in custody to appear before Tralee Circuit Court on February 11th, 2020, and recommenced he be taken to Arbour Hill or the Midlands Prison.