Cork women pleads guilty to child porn charges: Video found depicting a boy under the age of two 

A CORK city woman has confessed to the crime of distributing child pornography.

Michelle Coakley of 30 Bridevalley Park, Fairhill, Cork, appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where she was arraigned on two charges.

Coakley pleaded guilty to both charges. One of the charges stated that she did knowingly distribute child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show, contrary to the Criminal Justice Pornography Act of 1998.

The other charge referred to knowingly having in her possession child pornography on a mobile phone video file lasting two minutes and 20 seconds depicting a boy under the age of two being sexually assaulted by an adult male in a particular manner. 

Both charges related to the same date, January 24, 2018 at the defendant’s home in Fairhill.

Sinead Behan, defence barrister, said the defendant was attending her doctor and being prescribed a wide range of medication. 

Ms Behan said the doctor’s report referred to the fact Michelle Coakley was under the care of a psychiatrist for unstable personality.

“I suggest it would be helpful to get a psychiatrist’s report,” Ms Behan said.

Judge Brian O’Callaghan acceded to that application and agreed to extend free legal aid to cover such a report.

Sentencing was adjourned until November 25 with the accused, who is aged around 40, remanded on continuing bail.

The garda leading the investigation will give evidence on the background to the charges on the sentencing date.