Saturday 31 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. 21501Possession of child sexual abuse images · Co. Galway

Man charged with possessing child sexual abuse images in Galway

Piotr Novak, a 35-year-old man with an address on Fairhill Road Lower in The Claddagh, Galway, was arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse images. The alleged offences are dated between April 30, 2017 and December 16, 2019, at an address in the Claddagh. Detective Garda Gerard Carroll gave evidence at Galway District Court on April 14, 2023 that Novak had been arrested and charged that morning, and that he made no reply to the charges. The DPP has directed that the case be prosecuted on indictment, and the prosecution did not object to bail subject to conditions. The case will next come before the District Court in May for service of a book of evidence on the accused.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 35-year-old man appeared before Galway District Court charged with possessing child sexual abuse images.
Where
The accused has an address on Fairhill Road Lower, The Claddagh, Galway.
When
  • The first charge is alleged to have occurred on December 16, 2019, at an address in the Claddagh.
  • The other two charges are alleged to have occurred on a date unknown between April 30, 2017 and December 16, 2019, at the same address.
Charges
  • He is charged with three counts of knowingly possessing 2,164 images of child sexual abuse on three hard drives.
  • The first count relates to 959 images, the second to 916 images and the third to 289 images.
  • All the charges are under Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Gerard Carroll gave evidence that the accused was arrested and charged that morning.
  • The accused made no reply to the charges after being cautioned.
In court
  • The DPP has directed that the case be prosecuted on indictment.
  • The prosecution had no objection to bail, subject to conditions.
  • Judge Marie Keane granted free legal aid for the solicitor Michael Cunningham.
  • The case will next come before the District Court in May for the service of a book of evidence on the accused.
Other details
Bail conditions require him to reside at the address provided to gardaí and to sign on at a Garda station once a week, each Monday.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 35-year-old man appeared before court charged with possessing child sexual abuse images. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whereThe accused has an address on Fairhill Road Lower, The Claddagh. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whenThe first charge is alleged to have occurred on December 16, 2019, relating to 959 images. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whenThe other two charges are alleged to have occurred on a date unknown between April 30, 2017 and December 16, 2019. (galwaydaily.com)
  • investigationDetective Garda Gerard Carroll gave evidence that the accused was arrested and charged that morning. (galwaydaily.com)
  • chargeHe is charged with three counts of knowingly possessing 2,164 images of child sexual abuse on three hard drives. (galwaydaily.com)
  • chargeAll the charges are under Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. (galwaydaily.com)
  • courtThe DPP has directed that the case be prosecuted on indictment. (galwaydaily.com)
  • courtThe prosecution had no objection to bail, subject to conditions. (galwaydaily.com)
  • courtJudge Marie Keane granted free legal aid for the solicitor Michael Cunningham. (galwaydaily.com)
  • courtThe case will next come before the District Court in May for the service of a book of evidence on the accused. (galwaydaily.com)
  • sentenceBail conditions require him to reside at the address provided to gardaí and sign on at a Garda station once a week each Monday. (galwaydaily.com)
  • otherThe accused made no reply to the charges after being cautioned. (galwaydaily.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Apr2023
    In courtgalwaydaily.com, first report
    Man charged with possessing images of child sex abuse - Galway Daily

    First report of the case. Gives the three counts, the image numbers, the alleged date ranges, the statute, the DPP direction, bail conditions and the next court date.

    accused, Piotr Novak, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Piotr Novak