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. 4412Child pornography (production and possession of child abuse material) · Co. Westmeath · 29 Sep 2023

Ex-Royal Navy officer Mark Barlow jailed over 10,000 child abuse images in Westmeath

Mark Barlow (61), formerly of Clonlost, Kilucan, Co Westmeath, was found with 10,000 images and 50 videos of child sexual abuse when gardaí seized his devices at his home on September 29th, 2023. He had been identified through online chats with an undercover police officer in Yorkshire, held between May 2nd and June 6th, 2023, in an investigation involving Yorkshire and Humberside Police and Europol. He was arrested, and he pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, with sources differing on the sentence terms. The latest development reported, on December 4th, 2025, is that he was jailed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Mark Barlow, 61, formerly of Clonlost, Kilucan, Co Westmeath, was found with 10,000 images and 50 videos of child sexual abuse at his home.
Where
The offending relates to his home in County Westmeath, where gardaí seized his laptop, tablet computers and phones.
When
  • The online chats took place from May 2nd to June 6th, 2023.
  • Gardaí seized the devices from his home on September 29th, 2023.
Investigation
  • He was arrested following online chats with an undercover police officer in Yorkshire about fantasies involving young girls and toddlers.
  • He was identified as a suspect after an initial investigation by Yorkshire and Humberside Police and Europol, and the IP address was traced to his home.
Other details
  • The Irish Times describes him as from England, living in Ireland for several years.
  • He had no previous convictions, and a probation report assessed him as low risk of reoffending.
  • The material featured girls aged six to mid-teens.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, covering child pornography production and possession of child abuse material.
In court
He pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly.
Sentence
  • Key facts give a two-year-eight-month term for production with the final 12 months suspended, and a three-year term for possession with the final year suspended, while the Irish Times reports a two-year prison term.
  • He must be of good behaviour for three years after release and attend intensive counselling.
  • The case was reported as a sentencing at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on December 4th, 2025.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Westmeath-based man was caught with 10,000 images and 50 videos of child sexual abuse at his home. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHe engaged with the undercover officer from May 2nd to June 6th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationBarlow was arrested following online chats with an undercover police officer in Yorkshire. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHe was identified as a suspect after an initial investigation by Yorkshire and Humberside Police and Europol. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe IP address was traced to his home, where gardaí seized his laptop, tablet computers and phones on September 29th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBarlow pleaded guilty to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceFor the child pornography production charge, the judge imposed two years and eight months, suspending the final 12 months. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceFor possession of child abuse material, the judge imposed a three-year term with the final year suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe must be of good behaviour for three years post-release and avail of intensive counselling. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBarlow had no prior convictions and a probation report found him at low risk of reoffending. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Dec2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Ex-royal navy officer found in possession of 10,000 child abuse images jailed

    Sentencing of Mark Barlow at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court after an online undercover operation led to his arrest.

    convicted, Mark Barlow, 61, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mark Barlow