Parents weep in court as software engineer son jailed for child sex abuse images

Gordon Deegan

A software engineer and married father of three engaged in 18 online individual and group chats that involved incest, sexuality activity with children and bestiality, a court has heard.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford said that the evidence concerning the 18 online ‘chats’ involving David Molloy was “an aggravating factor” in the sentencing of Mr Molloy of Lissycasey, Co Clare, for the possession of child pornography at his home in Lissycasey on September 18th 2022.

In this case, Judge Comerford imposed a 20-month prison term, suspending the final 14 months with Molloy to serve six months in prison.

Judge Comerford described the viewing of child pornographic images as “revolting” and said he could not avoid imposing an immediate prison term on Molloy, taking into account all of the circumstances in the case.

As Judge Comerford imposed sentence, Molloy - named for the first time concerning the offence - shook his head from the body of the court while his parents, seated two rows behind, both wept and continued to cry as Mr Molloy was led away by prison officers to commence his prison term.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Comerford noted that Mr Molloy’s parents were in court and “my heart goes out to them”.

Counsel for Mr Molloy, Aaron Desmond BL, said that “this is a very traumatic episode for Mr Molloy’s parents. They stand by him and in no way are condoning his actions”.

In the case, Mr Molloy pleaded guilty to having in his possession 36 videos and 77 images of child pornography as defined by Section 2 of the Child Trafficking and Porn Act 1998.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that an examination of a mobile phone belonging to Mr Molloy in 2023 unearthed 18 online chats with others.

Ms Comerford said: “The content of those individual and group chats related to incest, sexual activity with children and bestiality.”

In one chat, MMolloy on May 17th 2022 said that if he had a girl, he would probably from birth carry out a sex act on her and then from age four she would carry out a sex act on him.

In another chat, Mr Molloy said that “I have seen lots of touchy-feely girls and boys with parents and dropped hints but I never got anywhere - parents don’t understand the fun they could be having”.

In the chat, he went on: “I hope those girls have Daddy fantasies and come find me. LoL”.

In another chat, Ms Comerford said that Mr Molloy had engaged online with a child who said that she was 1l - almost 12.

He told her “No way you are 11. Beautiful. You look so mature."

Comerford said that Mr Molloy went on to engage with her “in an inappropriate way” online.

In another chat, Molloy said that of the three girls aged under 8 known to him “it was hard to get time alone with them, away from everyone, but always trying”.

Comerford said that UK police first notified the Garda online exploitation unit in Dublin of a report that resulted in Gardai carrying out a search of Molloy’s home on September 18th 2022.

In evidence, Det Garda Ruth O’Sullivan of Clare Division Protective Services Bureau said that two mobile phones belonging to Molloy were recovered and 34 images of child sexually explicit images, another 42 images of child exposure and one child anime image were discovered.

Det O’Sullivan said that there were also 33 Category One child sexually explicit videos and three videos of Category Two child exposure.

DO’Sullivan said that Mr Molloy was questioned by Gardai and denied any knowledge of child pornographic material found on his mobile phone.

Molloy entered his plea of guilty the morning his trial was due to commence on October 28th last and had been on bail since, pending sentence.

Desmond said Molloy was very apologetic for his actions and, in consultation, was very mindful of the consequences of this coming out into the open for his family.

Desmond (instructed by solicitor, John Casey) said Molloy “has deep shame and remorse at his offending behaviour in this matter”.

Desmond said Molloy has been undergoing therapy concerning his behaviour for more than two years and six months.

Desmond said that the forensic report on Molloy is positive, and his client is anxious to remain on the path to rehabilitation. He said that Mr Molloy remains in employment and recently secured a promotion.

Desmond said that Molloy’s family are much reliant on his employment.