A computer technician who had what gardaí described as "the vilest and most horrendous ever" images of child pornography has been jailed for three years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Ray Daly (41), of Ellensborough Way, Kiltipper, was found guilty by a jury on May 16th on four charges of knowingly having child pornography in his possession on dates from June 1st, 2003, to July 5th, 2004.
The jury brought in the guilty verdict on day five of his trial.
Detective Garda Liam Coogan of the Garda National Bureau of Fraud Investigation said that videos showing systematic sexual abuse of children as young as two were recovered following forensic examination of computer equipment from Daly's home.
A total of 796 still images and 137 movie files were found on Daly's computer.
Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle told the court that Daly was a single man and the father of three children by three different women. He had been suspended from his work to await the outcome of the trial.
Judge Miriam Reynolds said the maximum sentence she could impose was one of five years and that the legislation regulated for "mere possession" as against "dissemination", and that there was no evidence of Daly having possession of it for commercial gain although there was evidence of at least one person having been shown it.
Tim O'Leary SC, defending, said "these offences punish the guilty in any event" and that the jury's verdict had "a devastating effect" on him already due to the "media witch hunt" following his conviction.