Thursday 5 November 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

Man sent to circuit court over 50,000 child abuse images, Dublin

Edward Sweeney, 37, a man with an address in Glasgow, is charged with eight offences including possessing 56,025 images and videos of child sexual abuse material across multiple devices, and producing and distributing child pornography. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Dublin between February 2012 and July 2023. He first appeared at Dun Laoghaire District Court in early September 2026 and was remanded for service of the book of evidence. In November 2026, his case was sent to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trial before a judge and jury, and he was remanded on continuing bail.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • He is charged with possessing 49,741 images and 6,284 videos of child sexual abuse material across a Dell laptop, a phone, an Apple MacBook Pro, and three USB flash drives.
  • He is charged with one count each of producing and distributing child pornography.
Where
  • The possession offences are alleged to have taken place at Alma Road, Monkstown, Blackrock, south County Dublin.
  • The production and distribution offences are alleged to have taken place at a place unknown in the Dublin area.
When
The eight offences are alleged to have occurred between February 2012 and July 2023.
Charges
The possession counts are contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998, and the production and distribution counts to Section 5(1) of the same act.
In court
  • He first appeared at Dun Laoghaire District Court in early September 2026 and was remanded for service of the book of evidence.
  • In November 2026, his case was sent to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trial before a judge and jury.
  • Judge Anne Watkin gave him 14 days to provide alibi evidence.
Sentence
The maximum penalty for producing or distributing child pornography is 14 years in prison and a fine, while the circuit court can impose up to five years for possession.
Other details
He has an address at Arundel Drive, Glasgow.
37 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)
  • whatOne count alleges he possessed a Dell laptop containing 21 images and 30 videos on July 21, 2023. (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)
  • whereAll 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)
  • chargeHe is charged with six counts of possessing 49,741 illegal images and 6,284 videos of children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is alleged to have committed eight separate offences between February 2012 and July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with one count of producing child pornography. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with one count of distributing child pornography. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is alleged to have produced child pornography at a place unknown in the Dublin area between February 25, 2012 and October 29, 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is alleged to have distributed child pornography in the same timeframe and in the Dublin area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth the production and distribution offences are contrary to Section 5(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe faces six counts of possession of child pornography 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)
  • courtHis case was sent to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Judge Anne Watkin at Dun Laoghaire District Court on Tuesday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe first appeared at Dun Laoghaire District Court at the start of September. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHis case was remanded for service of the book of evidence to Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Watkin gave him 14 days to provide alibi evidence. (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)
  • sentenceThe maximum penalty at circuit court for distributing or producing such material is 14 years in prison and a fine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe circuit court can hand down a sentence of up to five years for possession of such material. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Nov2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Update as man charged with allegedly possessing 50,000 child abuse images

    Case sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; remanded on continuing bail; specific devices, dates and locations of the alleged possession detailed; maximum penalties at circuit level noted.

    accused, Edward Sweeney, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward Sweeney
  2. 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