Phone found in pub contained child sexual abuse material

A PHONE was found in a pub and when the people who found it checked for the owner’s name, they found child sexual abuse imagery and immediately reported the matter to An Garda Síochána, a court has heard.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the mobile phone was found on the licensed premises on December 12, 2021, and it resulted in 63-year-old Michael O’Connell of 111 Pearse Road, Ballyphehane, Cork, being prosecuted for possession of child pornography.

Sgt Lyons said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case could be dealt with at Cork District Court.

Judge Mary Dorgan agreed with this when she was given an outline of the allegations.

It was alleged that 80 image files and 18 video files were found on the phone.

Three of the images were the most serious category of children involved in or witnessing sexual acts.

Seventy-seven were category 2 showing genital or anal parts of children.

In respect of the videos, eight were of the most serious category and 10 were category 2.

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said he was seeking disclosure of prosecution documents in the case.

Judge Dorgan adjourned the case with the accused on bail until March 21.