Clondalkin man charged with possession of thousands of child pornography images

By Brendan Grehan

A CLONDALKIN man (25) was found in possession of thousands of images of child pornography at his home, Blanchardstown Court has heard.

Mathew Horan is facing trial over his alleged contact with three girls aged between nine and 12, as well as having thousands of movies and images of child sexual abuse, including animation clips.

As part of his bail, Horan must not use any computer device or phone or engage in any social media platform. 

Judge David McHugh warned Horan that if he breaches bail by using social media, he will end up in custody.

Horan, who has an address at St Johns Crescent, Clondalkin, is charged with eight counts of the sexual exploitation of children from his home address on dates in 2014 and 2015, 28 counts of distributing child pornography, six counts of possessing child pornography, one charge of encouraging the production of child pornography one charge of producing child pornography all at his home address on dates in 2014 and 2015.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda David Connolly told Judge McHugh that Horan had replied “no” to each charge.

He said he was objecting to bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act.

Garda Connolly said it will be alleged that a warrant was granted to search Horan’s home and 47 child pornographic images and 16 movies were found on one computer, 132 images and eight movies were found on another drive.

He said it will be alleged that 6,952 cartoon child pornographic images were found on one drive.

Three girls aged between nine and 12 were interviewed by child victim interviewers.

It was alleged they had contact with a man known by gardai to be the accused.

One girl was allegedly contacted in July 2015 and the other two in November 2014.

Horan’s solicitor, Brian Coveney, asked Judge McHugh to grant bail.

Judge McHugh said he would grant bail to Horan on his own bond of €500 and on condition that he sign on daily at his local garda station and that he does not use any computer device or phone or engage in any social media platform.

Horan was released on bail and was remanded for a month for service of his book of evidence.