Wednesday 28 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. 0351Possession of images and videos of child sexual abuse, production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography · Co. Dublin · 21 Jul 2023

Edward Sweeney charged with possessing 56,000 child sex abuse images and videos in Dublin

Edward Sweeney, 37, with an address in Glasgow, was charged with six counts of possessing 49,741 images and 6,284 videos of child sexual abuse, totalling 56,025 items, as well as one count each of producing and distributing child pornography, with offences alleged between February 2012 and July 2023 in Dublin. He appeared at Dun Laoghaire District Court, sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice in central Dublin, on 2 September 2026. Judge Conor Fottrell remanded him on bail for the service of the book of evidence, with the case set to go before a judge and jury at the circuit court. He is due back at Dun Laoghaire Court in November 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • He was charged with six counts of possessing 49,741 images and 6,284 videos of child sexual abuse, totalling 56,025 items, across a Dell laptop, a phone, an Apple MacBook Pro, and three USB flash drives.
  • He was charged with one count each of producing and distributing child pornography.
Where
  • The possession offences are alleged to have taken place at Alma Road in Monkstown, Blackrock, south County Dublin, and all offences are alleged to have taken place in Dublin.
  • He has an address at Arundel Drive in Glasgow.
When
The eight offences are alleged to have taken place between February 2012 and July 2023.
Charges
The production and distribution charges are contrary to Section 5(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998, and the six possession counts are contrary to Section 6(1) of the same act.
In court
  • He appeared at Dun Laoghaire District Court, sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice, on 2 September 2026, where Judge Conor Fottrell remanded him on bail for service of the book of evidence.
  • The case is to go before a judge and jury at the circuit court, with Sweeney due back at Dun Laoghaire Court in November 2026.
Sentence
The maximum penalty for producing or distributing child pornography is 14 years in prison and a fine, and the circuit court can impose up to five years for possession.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe allegedly possessed a Dell laptop containing 21 images and 30 videos on 21 July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe allegedly possessed a phone containing 23,217 images and 832 videos on 21 July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe allegedly possessed an Apple Mac Book Pro containing 7,343 images and 2,108 videos on 13 March 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe allegedly possessed a USB flash storage device containing 16,545 images and 690 videos on 13 March 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe allegedly possessed another USB flash storage device containing 141 images and 548 videos on 13 March 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe allegedly possessed a third USB flash storage device containing 2,474 images and 2,076 videos on 13 March 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe has an address at Arundel Drive in Glasgow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereAll offences are alleged to have taken place in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe possession offences are alleged to have taken place at Alma Road in Monkstown, Blackrock, south County Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenEight separate offences are alleged between February 2012 and July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenProduction of child pornography is alleged at a place unknown in the Dublin area between 25 February 2012 and 29 October 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeEdward Sweeney is charged with six counts of possessing 49,741 illegal images and 6,284 videos. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeIn total he is alleged to have possessed 56,025 images and videos. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe faces one separate count each of producing and distributing child pornography. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe production and distribution offences are contrary to Section 5(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe six possession counts are contrary to Section 6(1) of the same act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Conor Fottrell remanded him to later this year for service of the book of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case is to go to a judge and jury at the circuit court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe maximum penalty for distributing or producing such material is 14 years in prison and a fine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe circuit court can hand down up to five years in prison for possession of such material. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Sep2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 37, charged with possessing 50,000 alleged child sex abuse videos & images

    First court appearance; charges detailed with specific devices and dates; remanded on bail for service of book of evidence; case to go to circuit court.

    accused, Edward Sweeney, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward Sweeney