Case No. 0471Possession, distribution and production of child sex-abuse material · Co. Limerick
John Weber jailed for eight years over child sex-abuse material in Limerick
John Weber, a 48-year-old man from Limerick, was found in possession of 111 videos and images of child sex abuse on devices at his home, including the rape of babies and young children. He told gardaí he had been accessing the material since 1997, and the investigation followed two referrals from the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Weber pleaded guilty to 14 charges of possession, distribution and production of child sex-abuse material at Limerick Circuit Court. On 30 July 2026, Judge Colin Daly sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment after setting a headline sentence of 12 years, reducing it to 10, and suspending the final two years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí found 111 videos and images of child sex abuse on devices at Weber's home in Limerick, including the rape of a six-month-old baby, an 18-month-old toddler, a six-year-old girl, and a five-year-old child in fetish and bondage clothing.
- Weber communicated with paedophiles on social media apps including KIK and Snapchat, and in online conversations said he wanted to kidnap, torture and rape children.
- Weber lived next to a creche, had stood on a balcony watching children with his genitals exposed, and sent his therapist a video of a naked eight-year-old boy which the counsellor alerted gardaí to.
- Weber told gardaí he had been accessing child sex-abuse material since 1997, when he was aged 19.
- Investigation
- The US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children made two referrals about Weber to An Garda Síochána, and the investigation was led by Det James Muldowney of the Divisional Protective Services Unit at Henry Street station in Limerick.
- Charges
- Weber pleaded guilty to 14 charges: one count of possession, four counts of distributing, and nine counts of producing child sex-abuse material.
- In court
- Judge Colin Daly lifted reporting restrictions at Limerick Circuit Court, naming Weber.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced it to 10 years, and suspended the final two years, resulting in eight years' imprisonment.
- Other details
- Weber claimed he was sexually abused as a child and sexually assaulted when he was a sex worker in England, and told gardaí he was HIV positive but not taking medication.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí found 111 videos and images of child sex abuse on devices at his home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe material included the rape of a six-month-old baby and an 18-month-old toddler. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe material also included a violent rape of a six-year-old girl and a five-year-old child in fetish and bondage clothing. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWeber communicated with paedophiles on social media apps including KIK and Snapchat. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWeber lived next to a creche and had stood on a balcony watching children with his genitals exposed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWeber sent his therapist a video of a naked eight-year-old boy, which the counsellor alerted gardaí to. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWeber told gardaí he had been accessing child sex-abuse material since 1997, when he was aged 19. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the US made two referrals about Weber to An Garda Síochána. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation was led by Det James Muldowney of the Divisional Protective Services Unit at Henry Street station in Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeWeber pleaded guilty to 14 charges: one count of possession, four counts of distributing, and nine counts of producing child sex-abuse material. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Colin Daly lifted reporting restrictions at Limerick Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced it to 10 years, and suspended the final two years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherWeber claimed he was sexually abused as a child and sexually assaulted when he was a sex worker in England. (irishtimes.com)
- otherWeber told gardaí he was HIV positive but not taking medication and was having unprotected sex. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jul2026Man jailed for distributing ‘depraved’ child sex-abuse material
Sentencing report: Judge Colin Daly lifted reporting restrictions and named Weber; headline sentence of 12 years reduced to 10 with two years suspended, resulting in eight years' imprisonment.
convicted, John Weber, 48, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)John Weber