Ireland Man sentenced for child sex abuse images in Dublin
Tony Curran, a 76-year-old man and former Dublin driving school instructor, was found in possession of over 300 child sexual abuse images at his address in Shankill, Co. Dublin, in November 2020. Gardaí searched his home after receiving an alert from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and seized four devices containing 316 images. Curran pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He was given a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two, suspended in full for three years with probation supervision and a ban on working with young children. Spanish authorities are to be notified as Curran now lives in a retirement village in Málaga, Spain.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Oct
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Curran, a former Dublin driving school instructor, was found in possession of child sexual abuse images; 316 images (274 unique, 63 duplicates) were found across four devices, while the guilty plea referenced 361 images of child sex abuse, 115 in the worst category.
- Where
- The offending took place at Curran's then-address in Shanganagh Grove, Shankill, Co. Dublin.
- When
- Gardaí searched Curran's address on 26 November 2020.
- Investigation
- The case came to light after gardaí received an alert from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
- Gardaí seized Curran's phone, a tablet, and two laptops from the property.
- Charges
- Curran pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
- In court
- Curran appeared before Judge Cephas Power at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- The court set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years, suspended in full for three years with probation supervision.
- Curran was ordered not to work with or be in the company of young children unless supervised.
- Other details
- Spanish authorities are to be notified as Curran now lives in a retirement village in Málaga, Spain.
- Curran has no previous convictions; mitigation included his early guilty plea, co-operation with gardaí, and a difficult childhood.
- Curran also had 196 images of child exposure.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCurran is a former Dublin driving school instructor found with over 300 child sexual abuse images. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereCurran is now living in Málaga, Spain. (gript.ie)
- whereThe offending took place at Curran's then-address in Shanganagh Grove, Shankill, Co. Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí searched Curran's address on 26 November 2020. (gript.ie)
- whenCurran was discovered in possession of the offending material in November 2020. (gript.ie)
- whenThe offending came to light in November 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí received an alert from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. (gript.ie)
- investigationFour devices seized from the property were found to contain child sex abuse material. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe offending came to light after gardaí obtained information from agencies in the United States. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized his phone, a tablet and two laptops. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeCurran pleaded guilty to possessing 361 images of child sex abuse, 115 of which were the worst category. (gript.ie)
- chargeCurran pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe offence carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCurran appeared before Judge Cephas Power at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (gript.ie)
- courtThe judge described the offences as very serious and said Curran's culpability was high. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCurran has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe court set a headline sentence of three years. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe custodial portion of the sentence was suspended in full for three years. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe court ordered that Curran not work with young children or be in their company unless supervised. (gript.ie)
- sentenceSpanish authorities are to be notified. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was suspended in full for three years on strict conditions, including probation supervision. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCurran also had 196 images of child exposure. (gript.ie)
- otherCurran has no previous convictions, according to his defence counsel. (gript.ie)
- other316 images were found across the four devices, 274 unique and 63 duplicates. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMitigation included the early guilty plea, co-operation with gardaí and a difficult childhood. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCurran has since moved to a retirement village in Spain. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Oct2026Former Dublin driving instructor found with more than 300 child sex abuse images
Reports the sentencing: Curran pleaded guilty to four counts, received a headline sentence of three years reduced to two, suspended in full for three years with probation supervision. Adds the 316-image count, the mitigation and the judge's remarks.
convicted, Tony Curran, 76, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tony Curran - 30 Oct2026Grandfather had images of toddler being raped by adult male - Gript
Reports the guilty plea, the three-year headline sentence, the full suspension, and a ban on working with or being around young children unless supervised, with Spanish authorities to be notified.
convicted, Tony Curran, 76, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tony Curran