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. 9439Possession of child sex abuse material · Co. Donegal

Donegal man charged with possessing child sex abuse material appears in court

A man in his 30s from Donegal has been charged with possession of child sex abuse material at a location in the State, and the date of the alleged offence is not given. Detective Garda Donal Kelly gave evidence of his arrest, charge and caution when he appeared before Letterkenny District Court. The DPP has consented to his being sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial on a signed guilty plea, and Judge Emile Daly granted him bail on his own bond. The latest development was the court appearance reported on 26 May 2026, with disclosure due by June 22 so the defence can consider its options.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man in his 30s from Donegal has been charged with possession of child sex abuse material.
Where
The man appeared before Letterkenny District Court.
When
The court appearance was reported on 26 May 2026, and no date for the alleged offence is given.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Donal Kelly gave evidence of the man's arrest, charge and caution.
  • When asked if he wished to make any reply, the man told the detective "no".
Charges
  • He is charged with possession of messages considered to be child pornography at a location in the State.
  • The charge is contrary to section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
In court
  • The DPP has consented to the man being sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial on a signed guilty plea.
  • Disclosure is to be made by June 22 so the defence can consider its options.
  • Legal aid has been granted to solicitor Rory O'Brien.
  • Judge Emile Daly granted bail on the accused's own bond.
  • Garda Sergeant Jim Collins confirmed there was no issue with bail.
Other details
The man cannot be named at this stage of proceedings.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Donegal man has appeared in court charged with being in possession of explicit child sex abuse material. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man is in his 30s. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe man appeared before Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Donal Kelly gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of the man. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with having possession of messages considered to be child pornography at a location in the State. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has consented to the man being sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has also consented to the accused being sent forward on a signed guilty plea. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtDisclosure is to be made by June 22 so the defence can consider its options. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtLegal aid has been granted to solicitor Rory O’Brien. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Emile Daly granted bail on the accused's own bond. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGarda Sergeant Jim Collins confirmed there was no issue with bail. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 May2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man charged with having child sex abuse material appears in court

    First report of the court appearance. The DPP has consented to trial in the Circuit Court on a signed guilty plea, disclosure is due by June 22, and the man cannot be named at this stage.

    accused, male