Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7505Possession of child abuse images and videos · Co. Dublin · 1 Feb 2022

Department of Justice official ordered to attend court over child abuse images charges

Niall Colgan (38), of Muckross Park, Perrystown, Dublin 12, a senior Department of Justice official, is accused of possessing two videos and eight images of child abuse material on February 1st, 2022. Detective Garda Alan Young charged him, and he is also charged with possessing cannabis at his home on the same date, with the child abuse offence contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. He was granted bail on August 14th, and the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. The latest development, reported on September 21st, 2023, is that Judge Alan Mitchell at Dublin District Court directed him to attend court on October 5th to be served with the book of evidence after he was excused from a Thursday hearing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Niall Colgan is accused of possessing child abuse images and videos.
Other details
Colgan is a senior Department of Justice official.
Where
Colgan is of Muckross Park, Perrystown, Dublin 12, and the case is before Dublin District Court.
When
The alleged offence took place on February 1st, 2022.
Charges
  • Colgan was charged with possessing two videos and eight images of child abuse material.
  • The child abuse offence is contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
  • Colgan is also charged with possessing cannabis at his home on the same date.
Investigation
Detective Garda Alan Young charged Colgan.
In court
  • Colgan was granted bail on August 14th.
  • Colgan was excused from attending his case at Dublin District Court on a Thursday.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.
  • A State solicitor said the book of evidence would be ready in two weeks.
  • Judge Alan Mitchell remanded Colgan on continuing bail to appear on October 5th and ordered him to attend.
  • A book of evidence must be served on the accused before the District Court grants a return for trial order.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNiall Colgan is accused of possessing child abuse images and videos. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereColgan is of Muckross Park, Perrystown, Dublin 12. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offence was alleged to have taken place on February 1st, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeColgan was charged with possessing two videos and eight images of child abuse material. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe offence is contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeColgan is also charged with possessing cannabis at his home on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtColgan was excused from attending his case at Dublin District Court on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtColgan was granted bail on August 14th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Alan Mitchell directed Colgan to come to court on October 5th for the next stage of the proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Mitchell remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear on October 5th but ordered he attend. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe book of evidence would be ready in two weeks, according to a State solicitor. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA book of evidence must be served on the accused before the District Court grants a return for trial order. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherColgan is a senior Department of Justice official. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Sep2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Department of Justice official ordered to attend court on child abuse images charges

    Court follow-up on the charges: Colgan was excused from the Thursday hearing, Judge Mitchell ordered him to attend on October 5th, the DPP has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and a book of evidence must be served. The article also says he is charged with possessing cannabis at his home on the same date.

    accused, Niall Colgan, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Colgan