17-year-old Dublin youth sent for trial over child sexual abuse material
A 17-year-old Dublin youth was sent for trial in the Circuit Court in July 2026, accused of possessing and producing child sexual abuse material featuring children as young as two years of age. He was arrested following an investigation by a Garda Divisional Protective Service Unit in Dublin, and eight electronic devices seized from his home returned positive for the material. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, is also alleged to have exchanged a large volume of messages with a 12-year-old girl and to have referenced the dark web and child pornography. He was charged with eight counts of production and nine counts of possession of child sexual abuse material dated October 2025, and Dublin Children's Court refused jurisdiction, sending the case to the Circuit Court where it will be listed for mention in October.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court28 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The material included 65 sexual images, 44 sexual videos, 222 child exposure images, 60 child exposure videos and one anime image, featuring children as young as two years of age.
- Analysis found a large volume of messages between the boy and a 12-year-old girl, and the boy allegedly stated he had been on the dark web and referenced people paying a lot of money for child pornography and rape services.
- Investigation
- The boy was arrested following an investigation by a Garda Divisional Protective Service Unit in Dublin, and his home was searched with electronic devices seized and submitted to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.
- Eight devices returned positive for child sexual abuse material.
- Charges
- He was charged with eight counts of production and nine charges of possessing child sexual abuse material on a date in October 2025, involving 392 images and videos.
- In court
- He appeared at Dublin Children's Court, which refused jurisdiction, and Judge Brendan Toale granted a return for trial order sending the case to the Circuit Court, where it will be listed for mention in October.
- Det Garda Carol Corrigan told the judge the boy made no reply to each of the offences.
- Other details
- A safety plan was put in place by Tusla stating his parents would not allow him to go online unsupervised, and his bail bond includes conditions restricting him from possessing devices with internet access, attending counselling, and being subject to a curfew.
- He had no prior criminal convictions or warrant history.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe material included 65 sexual images, 44 sexual videos, 222 child exposure images, 60 child exposure videos and one anime image. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe material featured abuse of children, some as young as two years of age. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAnalysis found a large volume of messages between the boy and a 12-year-old girl. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe boy allegedly stated he had been on the dark web and referenced people paying a lot of money for child pornography and rape services. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe boy was arrested following an investigation by a Garda Divisional Protective Service Unit in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHis home was searched and more electronic devices were seized and examined. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationEight devices returned positive for child sexual abuse material. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationElectronic devices were seized from the boy and submitted to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with offences involving 392 images and videos. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is accused of eight counts of production and nine charges of possessing child sexual abuse material on a date in October 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case will be listed for mention in October in the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDet Garda Carol Corrigan told the judge the boy made no reply to each of the offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA safety plan was put in place by Tusla stating his parents would not allow him to go online unsupervised. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had no prior criminal convictions or warrant history. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHis bail bond includes conditions restricting him from possessing devices with internet access, attending counselling, and being subject to a curfew. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2026Youth accused of possessing child sexual abuse material set for trial
Details the charges, the home search and device seizures, the separate investigation involving messages with a 12-year-old girl, the boy's alleged statements about the dark web, and his bail conditions.
suspect, 17, malevictim, 12, female